Gang Misconceptions Essay

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Individual Work Demetria L. Metoyer Everest University Online Professor Novella Sconyers SYG2001-14_Week 5 August 17, 2013 Many people have misconceptions of gangs, and their formality. Some people would say and believe gangs form to fulfill a missing void in a member’s life. Often times most gang members do not come from a broken home but necessarily formed to achieve quick money. Often times a person joins a gang to obtain respect, money, or protection. I myself grew up in Compton, California in the heart of many local rival gangs of crips and bloods. I had the opportunity to join the gangs but chose not to and participated in school activities such as basketball, softball, volleyball, and track and field to stay active and out of trouble. My parents both worked and had to provide for my four brothers and me. My parents did not always get to spend time with us because they had to work but they were to very strict parents that did not tolerate mischievous, disrespect, and troublesome behavior. They taught us wrong from right, how to be self-efficient and reliant of our actions and decisions. My oldest brother joined the local grape street gang for more attention and company. My brother felt and thought this gang was a family that protected and provided. My brother said this gang taught him things that helped him become a man. Now I know this sounds crazy, but since my parents both worked two jobs, my brother felt it was his responsibility to take care of his siblings necessary. My brother bought supplies for school, food, clothes, and put money in our pockets to keep us out of trouble and focused. My brother joined a gang to support his family and to keep us out of trouble and focused on school. I can admit; I did not see anything wrong with this because my brother was not in trouble at all with the law and he was not doing anything to get into trouble

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