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Introduction
Examining and understanding American street gangs have always been a complex procedure. American Street gangs have always existed, evolving in their characteristics; however, they have always remained a group of youths living in the same neighborhood, assembled together for common social reasons. ... Street Gangs encourage and promote violence and thrive on intimidation. ... "Most street gangs are located in inner-city areas that are economically depressed and lack resources" (Thrasher, 1968 p. ... Gangs constantly instill fear in their present locations, in order to intimidate their rivals and citizens alike. Power, obtained through violence, increases the gangs status. ...
Understanding Urban Street Gangs
Gangs affect almost everyone that live in their neighborhood, however the members that are directly involved are mostly negatively affected. The study of how urban street gangs affect and treat the youths involved with them is important in understanding American street gangs and the members that belong to these gangs. The attraction to street gangs in poverty stricken neighborhoods is found in almost every location a teenager may be found. Schools, arcades, movie theaters, sporting events, public transportation, shopping centers, even hospital emergency departments, are common locations that gangs perform certain tasks, and recruit or attract future members. ... Even though gangs have developed their own clothing styles and forms of communication, most street gangs display similar characteristics, such as their development according to their race and ethnicity, their domination by males, their culture is expressed through specific colors, dress, language, and graffiti, and finally they mark their territory and operate as an organization. ... Most street gangs are not organized in terms of the hierarchy of roles; the achievement of power is the result of displaying more violence than the other gang members. Power is obtained through the intimidation other members and other gangs, and in most cases the use of a gun is very helpful in this matter. ... The treatment of gang members from the same street gang and from opposing gangs involves a lot of violence leading to many mental and physical consequences. Kidnappings and rapes are common issues involved in gangs, which create severe psychological problems with the youths, especially in the case of female members. ...
Reasons For Joining Gangs
There are several reasons for which youths decide to join street gangs. The large number of gangs found in economically depressed areas lead to a high level of influence on other youths that become potential gang members. ...
Social Factors
The social factors influencing youths to become gang members include peer pressure, which becomes a major factor that attracts youths to gangs. Peer pressure is found in many places; especially high schools were peers begin to get involved in-group activities, which unfortunately encourages them to join delinquent groups such as gangs. ... Poverty is a socio-economic factor for which adolescents react to gangs the way they do. ... Gangs are viewed as a method of joining other poverty stricken children to exit that lifestyle and obtain some wealth. ... Youths affected by these drugs tend to search for acceptance and nurturance found in street gangs. ... Living in a community where gang involvement is a community norm, being part of family with a limited view of the world and a lack of awareness of opportunities outside the neighborhood, cultural prejudices and barriers existing in the family, lack of employment possibilities and education are all social factors that result in the attraction to gangs to improve ones lifestyle. The media may be partially blamed for youths’ attraction to gangs due to the glorification of gangs found in movies, TV, magazines, music and music videos.
Approximate Word count = 2894
Approximate Pages = 11.6
(250 words per page double spaced)
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