Gang involvement is becoming a big issue today. It has been associated negatively with criminal acts and deviance. One of their major targets for recruitment are young teens to run their errands. In this essay I will talk about what it means to be in a gang and the different theories that could explain as to how and why young people are being involved into gang memberships and gang related crimes. I will be exploring Edwin Sutherlands Differential association and will talk about how gang and criminal behaviour is learned just like anything else.
The politicians and law enforcement agencies need to remember that the gangs must be targeted and attacked as a whole, and not to single out a certain individual within the group. Gangs have chapters or cells all over the U.S. and abroad. Gangs tend to center themselves under a strict “street code”, that if you break, or interrupt, usually leads to some sort of attack or even taking someone’s life. The main objectives of gangs is to set out to earn money, or to maintain some means of financial gain, to help aid the gang and its members for whatever they desire. The other most important goal of a gang is to gain turf.
Soon after, the turf war began. Different gang members fought each other to claim territory. The sad thing about this is that some of these gangs’ members did not live in the neighborhood or the turf they were fighting to gain. During that same period, drug activities had also taken over my neighborhood. It was like an open drug market.
In nearly every case of gang allegiance, the individual seeks gang membership because he is unable to find these rewards elsewhere. Additionally, there are a variety of cultural factors contributing to gang membership, both within individual communities and society in general. The failure of the police force and judicial system to adequately deter drug trafficking is a primary reason that gangs exist. Poverty, unemployment, fatherless households, and the insidious breakdown of the family structure are all contributing factors to the proliferation of gangs. It is argued in this paper that gang membership is a logical response by young individuals to socio-economic factors beyond their control.
Police have been given orders to do what is necessary to take down the gang members. B. The problem with that are retaliations. That means more shooting, which also means more deaths and casualties. C. In Boston an Adult Crime Prevention Organization (ACPO) started the program, “Youth with a Voice”, which encouraged kids to speak up about their experiences.
Assumptions The assumption is that youth join gangs to feel involved and have a support system which they do not have within their homes. According to the lecture, “Gangs allow for feelings of acceptance and gangs can provide structure and purpose” (lecture, 1/24/12). Other assumptions are that youth join gangs for protection from bullies or from other gangs, as well as for respect. Limitations The limitations for my point of view when examining the issue, is mainly the fact that I have never personally had prior experiences with gangs or have known anybody that has had experience with gangs. The most experience that I have had when it comes to looking at the issue of
Final Project: The Gang Violence Problem Final Project: The Gang Violence Problem Gangs are found across the globe these days and almost everywhere they are associated with various crimes. While this happens in all types of neighborhoods, inner cities seem to be the most effected. Violence is a part of many gang activities and a good number of them demand that a new initiative to the gang must commit a violent crime to prove them worthy of membership. Michael Carlie (2002) explains that initiation ceremonies may include killing a police officer, being bumped or jumped in (One example of this ritual: Gang members form two lines, the initiative has to walk down between them while the gang members beat and kick him or her without showing sign of pain. ), commit a drive by shooting or another type of murder.
Inmate had to wear loose fitting uniforms. Belts were not permitted in prison because they were used as an instrument for inmates to commit suicide or they could be used as weapons. However, the sagging pants style was later popularized by many "hip-hop" stars around the 1990's. As this fashion trend forged its way into mainstream America, the debates for and against sagging pants began to heat up. "Saggers", which became a term to describe individuals who wore sagging pants, defended their choice of style because it was simply more comfortable.
These main gangs are known for a reputation of murder and assault of fellow inmates, many times with their targets being outside prison walls. Throughout this term paper I will discuss the views, and culture, of a select number of gangs that have proved to influence the general prison atmosphere which they inhabit. I will discuss the developing stages and what motivates the driving forces of each individual group. From inside the prison walls to the city streets, prison gangs have a wide network of influence. Recruitment is a continually evolving system that targets youth in many cases, with a focused message catering to their insecurities.
The extent of gangs/drugs A proliferation in gangs will also mean a growth in drug and violence in our community’s and threatening society in general. There are more than 731,000 active gang members in the United States, most of which are active with drug distribution. Gangs will and have shown themselves notorious and without regard to society and family. Street gangs employ violence to control drug activities and even targeting local businesses with extortion. Violence ensures that members adhere to the gang’s code of conduct.