Why do teenagers join gangs. Why Do Young People Join Gangs? Members Explain the Appeal of Risk Taking 2022-10-23
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There are many reasons why teenagers may join gangs. Some may join for the sense of belonging and community that gangs can provide, particularly if they feel disconnected or marginalized from their families or communities. Others may be attracted to the perceived status and power that being part of a gang can bring, or they may feel pressure from friends or peers to join.
Some teenagers may also turn to gangs as a way to protect themselves or their families from harm. They may see joining a gang as a way to gain protection from other gangs or from crime in their neighborhoods.
Poverty and a lack of economic opportunity can also be factors that drive teenagers to join gangs. For some, the lure of financial stability and access to resources may be appealing, even if it means engaging in illegal activity.
Peer pressure is another reason that teenagers may join gangs. They may feel pressure from friends or peers to join in order to fit in or be accepted by a particular group. This can be particularly true if the teenager feels like they don't have a strong support system outside of the gang.
Additionally, some teenagers may have experienced trauma or abuse in their lives and may turn to gangs as a way to cope with the emotional pain. They may see the gang as a way to find support and a sense of belonging, even if it means engaging in risky or dangerous behavior.
Overall, there are many complex factors that can contribute to a teenager's decision to join a gang. It is important for parents, teachers, and community members to be aware of these issues and to work together to provide support and resources for teenagers to help prevent them from turning to gangs.
Why Youth Join Gangs?
Chasing status Being part of a gang can be seen as a Read more: While research into edgework One idea that emerged from my research, is to focus on the possible life-changing consequences of being injured through violence or being caught. Parents need to work together to monitor children and provide law enforcement with information to help keep the neighborhood safe. Teenagers also join gangs for opportunities of making money, peer pressure, or even having a place to fit in "Why Do People Join… Essay On Gang Membership Theory of deviant indicates that youth with low self-esteem tend to gain approval through gang relationship that which leads them to delinquency. At times, youths who lack strong ties with their families, friends or other members of the society turn to gangs for a source of identity. These gangs recruit multiple different individuals for many reasons such as bribery, family traditions, or even threatening. This not only identifies different groups but serves to unite them. Even though everyone can agree that any gang related activities and crimes are against the law, people still joins it regardless with various reasons: Desire for protection, to appear cool, and have a sense of family.
Gang activities can fill the excess time. Sometimes, mothers can have a profound impact on their involved gang member son or daughter. Peer pressure is another force that can drive an individual to join a gang. Female Gang Trends 813 Words 4 Pages Police, local agencies, and community-based resources must work together to support youth and promote nonviolent activities in the neighborhood by combining service coordination, partnership between police and the community, suppression of gang activity through coordinated enforcement and prosecution, neighborhood mobilization, and job training for youth. I believe it is all about how we are hardwired and where we live that makes…. Who's to blame for this internal American War? Unavailability of employment opportunities: This makes the youths search for ways to satisfy their needs. Although, many kids feel like they have to be a part of it but there are many resources out in this world to prevent them from believing so.
The Reasons Why People Join Gangs: [Essay Example], 1384 words GradesFixer
. Gangs present a dichotomy, offering protection and a sense of belonging to its member; and at other times preying on its members through exploitative practices like gang initiation, prostitution, and drug dealing. Although some can be very dangerous, it is often a means of survival for many juveniles. Because youths are ambitious and have a lot of unaccomplished goals, the window of opportunity presented by groups seems to be the choice of many Sanders, 2017. At this point, a handful of individuals join gangs for protection. These areas can be very dangerous for a young teen growing up.
Police encounters and increased trouble at school. Gang involvement is an attractive means of fulfilling love needs as it allows the youth to have a sense of belonging to a group. Did you know that according to The National Gang Center youth gang members are 60 times more likely to die a young death by homicide? When you see graffiti on block walls, houses and sidewalks, report it to law enforcement officials, and remove it immediately, after taking photographs. Adult communities disappear, resulting in young people seeking alternatives of their own. Gangs have been a part of popular culture ever since the dawn of time. Declining performance in school. Work with the school to determine what opportunities are available for children.
Parents should form community groups that are willing to supervise children's activities. Howell and published by the U. It is the need for acceptance among friends that makes one want to prove that they are not cowards and can break the law. If you witness a crime in progress, be sure to report it to the police immediately. Gang activity offers that closeness, that sense of family that is often lacking in the home. Caution is wise when thinking one can place all gangs into one behavioral category.
Why Do Young People Join Gangs? Members Explain the Appeal of Risk Taking
Interviews of gang members indicate that joining a gang is seldom understood by the gang members themselves, but can vary from brotherhood to self-preservation as listed below. Probably the number one reason for teenagers joining gangs is to feel accepted. Parents and educators should watch for signs that their children or students may be involved with gangs. Lack of enlightenment on dangers of gang membership: Youths who do not understand the risks involved in gang activity are lured into joining groups. Need for companionship and excitement: Many youths find it overwhelming to break the law often in the company of their peers. Gang members popularize gang life and make it seem adventurous and fun. For Protection - In socioeconomic challenged neighborhoods and areas with high 4.
The acceptance provided by groups also does not discriminate against poor academic performers. It is also the parents' responsibility to see that school is a safe place to learn and play. Gang activities appear exciting to children. Members who join a gang for this reason are typically involved in drug use and truancy but rarely violent acts of delinquency. Change in clothing worn by your teen. Research has strong support for the positive influences that mentors have in a child's life.
Envy for what other people possess that the youth lack makes them look for an opportunity to acquire these things quickly, as long as they swear their allegiance to the certain gang. They may wear distinctive hairstyles, use gang terminology, and get involved with gang activities. Everything starts at home; from teaching your kids the right values and helping them develop self-esteem. Nevertheless, they often do not understand the risks and consequences that could carry joining one of these dangerous groups. Reconciling Discrepancies A different factor is whether the youth can be deterred from joining gangs and criminal activities as long as the factors mentioned above are dealt with appropriately.
The need for acceptance, fear, protection and money are some reasons why teenagers join gangs. Schools are underfunded due to the lack of funding from the government due to segregation and crime. Kids from the dangerous environment of inner cities often feel that they need to belong to a gang as a form of protection. Drug and substance abuse: Minors whose parents abuse drugs are lured into groups probably because they are familiar with a rogue way of life that involves stealing, mugging and even violence. Things like territory, turf, and colors are more important to many young gangsters today than making money. Another explanation could lie in what psychologist Caught out? Youths who are already exposed to crime put pressure on their friends and make them choose between friendship and conforming to crime.
Why Do Teenagers Join Gangs? Essay — Free Essays
Among the most common reasons are: to belong to a group, protection, earn money, excitement, to be with friends, and it's even a family tradition" Escondido Police Department. The long-range answer to these questions can only be speculated, but in the short term the answer is easier to find. Membership in a gang makes them feel important and recognized within their peer group. . Need for a sense of belonging: Youths who have low self-esteem may be lured into gangs where they are accorded the respect they may have lacked amongst their peers.
