The Cures and Causes of the American Gangs

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Engl 101 July 1, 2012 THE CURES AND CAUSES OF AMERICAN GANGS Gangs are a violent reality in today's cities. Why do they exist? What makes children feel that being in a gang is a desirable, acceptable, and prestigious way to live? The long-range answer to these questions can only be speculated upon, but the short term answers are much easier to find. Superficially, gangs are a direct result of human beings' personal desires and peer pressure. Effectively ending gang violence means we must influence how individuals determine the difference between what is right and wrong. Observing how people are influenced in society, there is strong evidence pointing to several institutions. These institutions include the media, the government, entertainment, drugs and our economic system. Gangs are one of the results of poverty, discrimination and urban deterioration. Some experts believe that undereducated young people, without access to good jobs, become frustrated with their lives and join gangs as an alternative to boredom, hopelessness and devastating poverty. Studies have attempted to determine why gangs plague some communities but there has been no definitive answer. Consequently, people working to solve gang problems have great difficulty. They find the situation overwhelming, and the violence continues. 1 No groups completely fitting the above description of gangs existed in America until the early 1800s. But from the beginning of the European settlement in America, there was ganglike activity, especially when class distinctions came into being. Gang members tended to be from the poor classes and tended to be from the same race or ethnic background. They banded together for protection, recreation or financial gain. In America, in the 19th century, "criminal" gangs first formed. As the result of a worsening economy and growing population that increased competition for

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