How youth violence and youth gangs affect the provision of services to children and families - Essay Example

0 Introduction The issue of teenage gangs and violence is a very serious one in Britain today. The teenage gang and violence matter is very significant in the provision of services for families and children. Obviously, it is a major issues that affects the provision of services to families and children. Clearly, the issue of a person's teenage child joining a gang is a major situation that can stand in the way of the provision of eduction, welfare and other related services to the family. The number of persons under 18 convicted or cautioned for violent offenses rose from 17,590 to 24,102 between 2007 and 2008 (Leapman, 2008). This clearly shows an increase of 37%. Statistics shows that London and Glasgow have over 170 youth gangs each (Scotsman News, 2008). Birmingham and Manchester have over 100 youth gangs each and there are high numbers of gangs in other major cities around Britain (Scotsman News, 2008). Stroud (2009) identifies that most children are drawn into youth gangs because of the desire to belong to such a group. Medina et al (2011) identify that the elements of the advanced capitalist society and other matters like marginalised youths, peer group influence, ethnic minority need to protect their interests and the growth of an informal economy for drugs and illegal products has caused youth gangs to thrive and grow in Britain. In the recent London riots, the Prime Minister blamed it on a 'moral collapse' which he connected with the failures of the family structures in present-day Britain (MacDonald, 2011). This clearly shows that there is a concern for the British public and the social and educational service providers in relation to some of the results of the moral collapse that Prime Minister Cameron raised about the current state of affairs in the United Kingdom. This research seeks to examine the idea of youth violence and youth gangs and how it affects the provision of services to children and families. This examines important issues and situations relevant to the phenomenon of youth violence and how it affects the social fibre of the United Kingdom and possible future trends. In arriving at this end, the following objectives are to be addressed: 1. The examination of the factors that cause young people to get involved in violent crimes and in youth gangs in Britain. 2. Evaluation of the effects of the youth gangs and youth violence on the various components of the British society and 3. An analysis of how stakeholders can come together to help the British society to control and eliminate the problems of youth gangs in Britain today. This research will focus on the examination of current secondary sources like journals and academic books to identify important facts relevant to the objectives raised above. This will be done in two main parts. The first part will be a comprehensive review on literature on the subject. It will examine the various studies and observations that are documented by authorities in the field of youth gangs and violence. The second part of the research will focus on an independent analysis of the literature examined. This will bring to bear important elements of the political, social and economic implications of the issues raised in the literature review. 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Causes “Gangs are not new in Britain, but the nature and scale of current gang culture is fundamentally different... in some communities, young people have created their own alternative society – the gang – and they live by gang's rules” (Goldson, 2011 p1). This description mirrors the fact that gangs are now modified in their nature and composition. Whereas in the past, gangs were often made up of hardened adults, most of whom had criminal convictions, the idea of youth gangs alters this view in today's Britain. Youth gangs are criminal organisations created by young people which uses violence and other techniques to cause disharmony in the society. Youth gangs are independent kind of nations within which young people, most of them under the age of 18 get a safe haven to live an unguided life in isolation. Goldson (2011) describes it as the demise of childhood perpetrated by ill-disciplined children. This culminates in the consolidation of lawlessness into popular culture amongst certain groups of young children. “Media coverage and the portrayal of gang culture in today's mass communication systems supports the flourishing of youth gangs in Britain today” (Murji, 2003). Clearly, music styles like rap promotes images like drugs, violence, guns and organised crimes which many young people in Britain buy into. Thus, music with strong themes and the representation of gang culture us one of the main causes of violence amongst young people and the creation of safe havens known as youth gangs. “Violent, perhaps gang associated youth activity is often highly localised around certain residential neighbourhoods, reinforcing control over local drug dealing, prostitution, protection rackets or markets in stolen goods” (Millie, 2009 p254). Also, youth gangsterism is connected with a strong desire of young people to control violence, sex and money made in the underworld (Murji, 2003). Another reason Murji cites further is the fact that some children want to get some kind of racial identification (2003). In other words, when they are viewed in a particular light, they might want to live in that kind of light for others to see them. Another aspect of youth gangs evolving on racial or ethnic lines is the need to protect the common interests of certain their own group. Statistics show that there is a strong correlation between delinquency and violent crimes or gangs amongst young offenders. Finne-Aage & Maxson (2011) identifies that a young person arrested or cautioned for crime by law enforcement officials is five to six times more likely to have had a history of delinquency. This shows that the whole idea of youth violence and youth gangsterism has a strong correlation with the delinquent history of a young person. Regoli et al (2009) identified six main reasons why young people might want to join a gang or get involved in violent crime. They are: 1. Material incentives (money and drugs). 2. Recreation: As a source of fun and entertainment. 3. Refuge and camouflage: To get some authority to look up to. 4. Physical protection: To get a safe haven that will protect a person from other gangs. 5. A Time to Resist: A form of rebellion against authorities and parents of a young person . 6. Commitment to Community: Some of these members feel they are representing their group to fight for the rights of their community. Finn-Aage and Maxon (2011) identify that in Britain, the common factor behind most young gangs and violence relates to the desire for respect. This makes many young people turn into 'wannabe gangsters'. When they get the chance to join up with like minded persons, they hardly look elsewhere. Another factor that adds up to the volumes of young gangs and violent crimes is the issue of immigrants from violent communities around the world (Chapman, 2010). The children of people form wartorn nations like Somalia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Yemen, Russia and Jamaica where the history of civil wars and other gang wars exists is a major factor that promotes these gangs (Winton, 2004). These persons have a lot of exposure to violence and eventually begin to practice activities in the old country here in Britain. 2.2 Effects The whole problem of youth violence and gangsterism is the creation of a system of violence and anarchy in a nation (Decker & Werman, 2005). This is because the continuous involvement in violence and illegal activity culminates in many social problems that makes it hard to maintain law and order in such a society. Edberg (2010) identifies a long list of social effects that occur in the lives of young people who get involved in violence and gangsterism, they include: 1. Anti-social peer interactions 2. Hyperactivity 3. Resistance to discipline. 4. Restlessness 5. Risk taking 6. Aggression 7. Drug and substance abuse 8. Disorganisation 9. Poor academic performance 10. Family conflicts In the larger sphere, it leads to several problems like child arrests, early drinking, indiscriminate sexual activities, negative life events and depression (Thornby et al, 2003). For parents, the problem of youth violence and youth gangsterism leads to abnormal financial stress and emotional problems (Moeller, 2001). In most cases, parents get separated and the mother bears more responsibility for this (Regoli et al, 2009). Youth violence and youth gangsterism has implications for the future of the child. “The child gets criminal records which hampers his or her development” (McShane & Williams, 2007). This is true because when a person gets a criminal record in his youth, he might be kept out of many decent jobs because of that. On the side of the state, there is a major problem when Youth violence and gangsterism increases. There is a loss of tax payers money to maintain security and reform young people who get trapped in this (Fortner & Fackler, 2008). This therefore means that the state will have to spend money paying police officers as well as other institutions like the prisons authorities. 2.3 Solutions Memmo (2004) proposes a system of prevent youth violence and gangsterism through a framework of proactive efforts by major stakeholders like young people, their families, teachers and policy makers. She proposes three levels of prevention: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary prevention will be through the use of techniques and dialogues to keep young people less at risk from getting involved in these crimes. Secondary preventive measures will target those who are seriously at risk whilst tertiary efforts will involve the rescue of people living in these circumstances. Finkel also proposes a system for the creation of a strategy to deal with youth violence and the problem of youth gangs (2010). First of all, he suggests that the real problem should be defined by soliciting for views from different groups affected by the matter. Secondly, there is the need to identify the risks and the protective factors that keep the problem thriving. Thirdly, there is the need to develop and test prevention strategies. Finally, the best strategy should be selected and implemented amongst a wide section of the society. Also, the Behavioural Objective Sequence can be invoked (Seifert, 2011). This will involve the conscious effort to help gang members by bringing together parents, teachers, family and other interest groups to draw plans that will be implemented and monitored gradually. This will include a range of six possibilities: adaptive, personal, task oriented, interpersonal, self management and communication objectives that can be implemented and monitored for the development of young people involved in violence and gangs. For the wider society, there will be the need for dialogues with police and community leaders to come up with good strategies for combating these gangs (Flammery & Huff, 2010). When this is done, the various social units can be fully included in a drive to prevent the growth of youth violence and gangs. 3.0 Analysis This section will involve an independent analysis of the literature examined above for political, social and economic factors that relate to the issue of youth violence and gangsterism. 3.1 Causes The main causes of Britain's gangster problem is connected with the changes in Britain's social structures. The idea of excessive urbanisation, the collapse of family structures and economic rationalisation is the main push factors that causes these gangs to thrive in the country. In our society, there is so much individualism and each person lives for himself alone. Due to this, parents often concentrate on their selfish interests to the neglect and detriment of the younger generation. This therefore means that young people are largely left to fend for themselves. The collapse of the family system has brought with it a lot of disciplinary issues in the British society. This is because children are hardly corrected and the value system is not effectively incorporated into their daily lives through disciple. In our era where human rights reign supreme, it is difficult to punish a child in any way. Due to this, children grow up thinking that they can have their way all the time. This culminates in a system whereby teenagers become rebellious and build an air of ego around themselves. In the world today, everything is based on economic rationalisation. People chase only the profits and nothing else. Due to this, the old value system is collapsing. And the children growing up in this setting only see money as the only important thing, every other thing is secondary and less important. On the pull side, there are some internal desires that every young person goes through at one point or the other. We all went through stages where we were strongly motivated by adventure and the desire to go into some social vices. In an era where the media portrays gangs and violence in unlimited forms, children grow up getting their minds filled with these images. In a system where there are few restraints, children end up joining like minded youths to perpetrate violence and commit crimes. Also, stereotyping is a major reason why young people end up in gangs and commit violent crimes. People of certain races and ethnic backgrounds get involved in certain social systems that ensures that they remain prone and exposed to crime. This way, they join other members in their group and they stick together and use violence with a view that they are protecting their group's honour. 3.2 Effects The main effect of youth violence and gangsterism is a lot of negativity which affect the individual, victims, the families, the wider society and the nation as a whole. The individual who gets involved in violent crimes in Britain and gangsterism is likely to get a criminal record. This will ensure that the person gets a lot of difficulties building a career or learning a vocation. This means that such a person is likely to grow up becoming a deprived person and this can lead to a life being wasted on crime only. These youth violence and gangs cause severe pain and problems to different people they attack. This leads to rapes, injuries and murders. The victims and their families as well as the families of the perpetrators go through a lot of problems and challenges. Some of them are emotional and others are financial in nature. The wider society and the state is drawn in through several angles. First of all, the taxpayer's money is spent on the improvement of the lives of victims and the reformation of these youth gangsters. This leads to so many losses. Aside that a young person who ends up in violence and gangsterism is a lost citizen. It is likely he will build a criminal career and not contribute economically through taxes to the building of the British economy. 3.3 Solutions Prevention is mainly through education. People must be educated on the effects of their actions and what it is likely to cause other people and themselves. The kind of education given to people on this should reflect the level of risk they are opened to. If they are high risk, efforts should be made to get them to abandon violence and the gangs. Conscious programmes must be put in place to ensure that people who are involved in these gangsterism or show signs of being violent are corrected. This could be through numerous activities like conscious programmes and other community programs that will correct such persons before they get out of hand Conclusion The problem of youth violence and gangs in Britain is caused by the changes in social structures in the country. The breakdown of family structures and the value system is a major cause. Also, excessive freedom and emphasis on money rather than character contributes severely to this, other issues like the uncontrolled nature of youthful exuberance causes young people to get involved in youth gangs and violence. The social problem leads to problems for individuals because they get criminal records which limit them. Also, their victims and their families suffer from these actions. The society and the state lose a lot of taxpayer's money as they try to resolve this problem The best solutions to this problem is to educate young people on the effects of this. It will involve providing conscious activities that aim at preventing people from joining such groups. Also, programmes can be proposed and implemented by the state and society to help prevent these effects. References Chapman Roger (2010) Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints & Voices ME Sharpe Decker Scott & Weerman Frank (2005) European Street Gangs & Troublesome Youth Groups Rowman Altamira Edberg Mark (2010) Essential Readings in Health Behaviour: Theory & Practice Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Finkel Madelon Lubin (2010) Public Health in the 21st Century Vol 1 ABC-CLIO Finn-Aage Esbensen & Maxson Cheryl (2011) Youth Gangs in International Perspective London: Springer Publishing Flammery Daniel & Huff Ronald (2010) Youth Violence: Prevention, Intervention & Social Policy American Psychiatry Pub. Fortner Robert & Fackler Mark (2008) The Handbook of Global Communication & Media Ethics Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Publishing Goldson Barry (2011) Youth in Crisis?: Gangs, Territoriality & Violence London: Taylor & Francis Leapman Ben (2008) 'Violent Youth Crime up a Third' in The Telegraph Available online at: Accessed: 13th January, 2012. MacDonald, Alistair (2011) 'UK Leader Blames Riots on 'Moral Collapse''. Wall Street Journal World news. Available online at: Accessed: 13th January, 2012. McShane Marily & Williams Frank (2007) Youth Violence & Delinquency: Monster & Myths Greenwood Publishing Group. Medina Juanjo, Aldridge Judith & Ralphs Robert (2011) 'Youth Gangs in the UK: Context, Evolution & Violence' Graduate Institute Available online at: Accessed: 13th January, 2012. Memmo Marina (2004) 'Contemporary Models of Youth Development & Problem Prevention: Toward an Integration of Terms, Concepts & Models' in Family Relations Vol 53 No 1 pp3 – 11 Millie Andrew (2009) Securing Respect: Behavioural Expectations & Anti-Social Behaviour in the UK London: Policy Press Moeller, Thomas (2001) Youth Aggression & Violence: A Psychological Approach London: Taylor & Francis Group Murji Karim (2003) 'Gangsta Glamour: Youth, Violence & Racialised Masculinity' in Lentin A. Learning From Violence: The Youth Dimensions Brussels: Council of Europe Press Regoli Robert, Hewitt John & DeLisi Matt (2009) Delinquency in Society Jones & Bartlett Learning Scotsman News (2008) 'Teenage Gang Plague 'Six Times Worse in Glasgow than London' Available online at: Accessed: 13th January, 2012. Seifert Kathryn (2011) Youth Violence: Theory, Prevention & Intervention London: Springer Stroud Peter (2009) Dying to Belong Safer London Foundation Available online at: Accessed: 13th January, 2012. Thornberry Terrence, Krohn Marvin, Lizotte Alan, Smith Caroly & Tobin Kimberly (2003) Gangs & Delinquency in Developed Perspectives New York: Cambridge University press Wintton Alisa (2004) 'Young People's Views on How to Tackle Gang Violence in Post Conflict Nations' in Moser Caroline O.. Urban Violence & Insecurity IIED Publishing Read More