Origin of Youth Gangs - Dissertation Example

?Literature Review Origin of Youth Gangs Youth involvement in gang activities has become an issue of concern in most societies (Howell 2007), and this concern has led into many scholars and researchers to study the reasons as the why there are increasing incidents regarding youth involvement in Gang activities. Youth gangs are distinctive groups mainly associated with young adults in adolescents usually involved in extensive illegal activities in the society (Wiener 2005). These youth gangs develop negative identification with the agencies of law enforcement, as well as the neighborhood residents (Goldson 2011). Youth gangs is not a new phenomenon in the society as it dates back in 17th century where they were characterized with wearing of distinct colors for their identification and arose mainly from social and economic vacuum in their neighborhoods and their contemporary societies (Wiener 2005). The distinguished emerging larger gangs do have a powerful and resourceful organization, access to powerful and dangerous weapons, and resourceful media which they use to recruit young children into these gangs (Jankowski 2003). Based on this, it can be argued that youth gangs are considered a threat to the peaceful coexistence in the society at large. The origin of youth gangs is greatly attributed to the economically and socially disadvantaged background (Howell 2005). These youth gangs in most societies and neighborhoods are perceived by its members to fill several needs that range from psychological and physical needs to economic and social needs (Howell 2005). Based on these researches, it is notable that these underlying needs are associated with the failure of the family to fill the arising gaps from this. Gangs notable intents is focused on provision of friendship, sense of identity, searching for wealth and finally for the purpose of security (Hastings, Dunbar, & Bania 2011). Nature and organization of youth gangs Youth join gangs mainly due to increasing trusting relationship within the gang family (Brantingham 2006). This is attributed to negligence as well as incompetence on the parents, clergy and teachers in performing their traditional roles of counseling and guiding the youth in the society. In the examination of youth gangs in general, it is notable that gang members have developed trusting solid relationships with their mentors who is considered the gang leader (Brantingham 2006). This relationship of the mentor and the mentee comes along with patience and the willingness and commitment of the mentor in pursuing of a strong relationship (Campbell 2011). It can be argued that the concept of being real comes in place which is a key attribute of any youth gang leader (Wanberg 2004). This involves the gang leader relating genuine concerns on behalf of the gang members. Therefore the mentor needs not to condemn the mentee for their actions or their immorality but the real attribute ensures that the gang leader listens, understands and help the group members (Campbell 2011). In regard to communication approach, the youth gang leader ensures that it is effective and this can be perceived that this consolidates the youth gang productive relationship and trust (Wanberg 2004). Based on this study, it can be ascribed that it is effective youth gangs have intensive and extensive knowledge and understanding in regard to the gang social norms and rules (Campbell 2011). Categories of Youth Gangs There are three main categories of youth gangs. The first category of youth gangs are corporate gangs in which its main focus is making money and thus considered profit making (Sanchez-Jankowski 2003). These categories are considered to be organized attributed by its clearly defined division of labor, high level of gang coordination and a well-entrenched hierarchy. This gang leadership structure has limited its exposure to the criminal and law enforcers thus members of the gang tend not to easily quit the gang (Sanchez-Jankowski 2003). Based on this study, it is evident that this kind of the gang is highly mobile and their aim is to make profitability. Another notable category is scavenger gangs which are characterized with less organized structures (Sanchez-Jankowski 2003). The members of the gang are motivated with the need to belong to a group only (Wanberg 2004). This category of the gang usually commits impulsive crimes and violence and is usually low achievers, with no clear objective and characterized with erratic behavior and prone to violence (Peterson, Taylor, & Esbensen 2004). Finally in regard to this are the territorial gangs having the key objective of securing and protecting what they perceive to be theirs (Wanberg 2004). Therefore it becomes difficult to have full control of the members because of flat hierarchy (Wanberg 2004). Members can easily depart from the gang and easy to keep in track since they are tied to their turf (Sanchez-Jankowski 2003). Based on this study, it is notable that youth gangs develop due to social and economic gaps and youth gangs emerge as a result of mitigation of these gaps and the youths trying to address them (Sanchez-Jankowski 2003). Why Youth Engages in Gangs The reasons as to why youths in the societies engage in gang activities have become an issue of concern, thus becoming a subject of study among theorist and researchers. According to Goldson (2011) and Franzese (2006), youth who becomes members of gangs have a great variation. These variations are attributed to the primary basic motives and that although they influence being members of gang they are not prompt (Goldson 2011). Search for Justice and Fairness in the Society According to Mcguire (2004), key reason for youths being members of certain gangs is the search of justice and commonality. In regard to this most of the youth in the society may perceive themselves to be oppressed. Youths having common interests come together with the aim of fighting for their rights and justifying their presence by joining gangs (Howell 2005). From these researches, it can be argued that young people who consider themselves to being oppressed and frustrated slowly develop rebel behavior. The youths consolidate this rebel behavior by joining together as member gangs to consolidate their campaigns and issues (Trusty 2002). Thus the common objective of addressing oppression and seeking justice in a greater extent influenced formation of youth gangs. It is because of this objective that these youth gangs end up losing focus and the main objectivity which at times result into criminal gangs (Mcguire 2004). Poverty among the Youths According to Esbensen (2012), poverty and economic disadvantage are two of the main issues that make young people join gangs. There is increased poverty level among the youths thus most of the youths are faced with economic difficulties (Esbensen 2012). The implications of this sense of desperation and hopelessness cause negative feelings in their minds which ultimately leads them towards formation of gangs, as well as joining existing gangs (Howell 2005). Based on this study, it can be argued that youths living in poverty have difficulty in meeting both basic psychological and physical needs resulting into lack of pride and pride. This implicates them to join gangs to acquire cash through illegal trade such as drug trafficking (Esbensen 2012). Racism Factor Another key reason that largely influences the mindset of youth and makes them join gangs is racism (Heinonen 2011). Youths that face both institutional and personal racism have a high possibility of becoming members of gang groups. This involves youth being denied systematic privileges which include access to resources, equality and other important privileges (Goldson 2011). Based on this study, it can be argued that youths develop anti-establishment gang groups to air their grievances (Heinonen 2011). Therefore increased racism activities and denial of their privileges towards the youths leads into establishment of gang groups. Influences from the Media Another key reason that largely influences the mindset of youth and makes them join gangs is racism (Chaskin 2010). Drams and movies play a vital role in this regard. Media plays a considerable role in injecting a sense of support and fulfillment of desires by entering a gang as it promotes such movies that shows success of gang culture (Chaskin 2010). It is notable that televisions, movies, radio have great impact on the development of the youth and it has led into youths establishing their own value systems in regard to what they see in the media (Heinonen 2011). Most of the media promote violence, sex and drugs which promote development of gangs and consider it acceptable lifestyle (Chaskin 2010). Lack of Networking Support The trend towards joining of gangs is greatly attributed to lack of support network (Johnson 2004). Most of the gang members usually come from homes and families where they feel neglected and alienated, therefore, these youths establish gangs to satisfy the needs for love which is not fulfilled in their respective homes and families (Johnson 2004). Based on this study, it can be argued that support network is essential in ensuring that the psychological needs are well satisfied. Therefore young people who lack support of network are facing the risk of becoming members of the gangs, thus communities need to provide appropriate programs (Johnson 2004). Why Youth Exit Gangs There are some moral and social issues that make youth exit from gangs. Joining of a gang is just a temporary stage for youth, they do not make this joining forever (Taylor 2008). Some of those issues include age of the members, marital status of members, lack of support from parents and relatives, achievement of objectives that made them enter the gang, formation of a new gang, and conflicts with gang members and the leader (Hastings, Dunbar, & Bania 2011). One or many of these reasons make a person end their gang membership. Increased violence also makes youth leave their gangs (Peterson, Taylor, & Esbensen 2004). Does Youth Think about Rejoining? Youth seldom thinks about rejoining the gang that they had left for any socio-demographic reason (Taylor 2008), however, some people do rejoin their gangs when they feel isolated after exit. Some other reasons that make people rejoin their gangs include lack of support from the society, lack of influence, no proper source of income, clashes with colleagues or other people of the society, and lack of the feeling of personal protection (Taylor 2008). Limitations in Existing Research Despite the growing body of literature regarding socio-demographic factors that influence youth’s decision about entering and leaving the gangs, research has not been able to give a detailed insight into the issue. Previous studies have failed to identify the reasons that inject a sense of segregation and disagreement in the minds of youth. None of the study has been able to provide accurate details of socio-demographic reasons that make youth enter or exit the gangs. Some have grouped media, racism, and poverty as the only reasons, whereas some have figured self-identity as the main reason. The researchers of existing studies could have explored the reasons by selecting suitable sample and target population to carryout the research. References Brantingham, P. L. (2006). Situational Crime Prevention as a Key Component in Embedded Crime Prevention. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice/La Revue canadienne de criminologie et de justice penale, 271-292. Campbell, S. M. (2011). Youth gang membership: Factors influencing and maintaining membership. Journal of University of Waikato, 320-500. Chaskin, R. J. (2010). Youth Gangs and Community Intervention: Research, Practice, and Evidence. Columbia: Columbia University Press. Esbensen, C. L. (2012). Youth Gangs in International Perspective. New York: Springer. Goldson, B. (2011). Youth in Crisis?: 'Gangs', Territoriality and Violence. New York: Taylor & Francis. Hastings, R., Dunbar, L., & Bania, M. (2011). Leaving criminal youth gangs: exit strategies and programs. Retrieved from http://www.crimepreventionottawa.ca/uploads/files/publications/final_report_-_leaving_criminal_youth_gangs_exit_strategies_and_programs.pdf Heinonen, P. (2011). Youth Gangs and Street Children: Culture, Nurture and Masculinity . New York: Berghahn Books. Howell, J. (2007). Menacing or Mimicking? Realities of Youth Gangs. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 58(2), 39-50. Howell, A. (2005). Moving Risk Factors into Developmental Theories of Gang Membership. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 334-354. Johnson, C. D. (2004). Youth Gangs in Literature. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group . Mcguire. (2004). Understanding Psychology and Crime. New York: McGraw-Hill International. Peterson, D., Taylor, T., & Esbensen, F. (2004). Gang membership and violent victimization. Justice Quarterly, 21(4), 793-815. Sanchez-Jankowski, M. (2003). Gangs and Social Change. Journal of Theoretical Criminology , 191-216. Taylor, T. (2008). The Boulevard Ain't Safe for Your Kids . . .1: Youth Gang Membership and Violent Victimization. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 24(2), 125-136. Trusty, J. (2002). Multicultural Counseling: Context, Theory and Practice, and Competence. New York: Nova Publishers. Wanberg, H. B. (2004). Criminal Conduct and Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents: Pathways to Self-Discovery and Change: The Provider's Guide. Philadelphia: SAGE. Wiener, V. (2005). Winning the War Against Youth Gangs: A Guide for Teens, Families, and Communities. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. Read More