Problem Of Gang Violence In Our Society example essay topic

What Should Be Done About Gang Violence In Society? Many people in our society do not think that anything bad will ever happen to them. These people always hear about the issues and problems that are in the world today, but never think they will take place close to home. Gang violence is a major problem in our society today that takes place in many different areas of the world. If nothing is done soon, gang violence could take place in our neighborhoods. Gang violence is a big problem in our society today.

MW Klein, a gang researcher, says that gangs are an aggregation of youths who perceive themselves as distinct, and that are viewed as distinct by the community. Klein also states that the gangs call forth a consistently negative image of themselves through their actions (Klein). To those involved in gangs however, gang membership provided a youth means of attempting to consolidate their gender identities (Douglas). Most of the early American street gangs have historically been ethnically based. Early gangs were mainly Irish, Polish, or Italian (Klein). Communities all over deal with gang violence.

Criminologist and crime writer John E. Douglas, explained how the propagation of street gangs in America and the violence associated with them is disturbing. He mentioned that street gangs have a presence in 94 percent of all the U.S. cities with populations greater than 100,000 (Klein). A number of studies have been conducted dealing with gang violence throughout the world. One particular study in Chicago showed that five percent of elementary school children were affiliated with street gang, as well as 35 percent of high school dropouts (Klein). Elizabeth Van Ella of the Chicago Crime Commission, explained that in Chicago alone, 65,000 documented gang members account for 48 percent of the crime. A majority of the members thrive in business as a way to cover up their schemes (Hutson).

They flourish in retail sales, computer sales, hospitals, office buildings, schools, transportation, and security firms. Practically, anywhere that provides a cover for laundering money, and easy mobility (Hutson). Klein explains that another place that has been greatly affected is Los Angeles. Los Angeles has over 950 different gangs with more than 100,000 members.

They are not just limited to inner-city ghettos, but are active in over 800 cities nation wide. Overall, nearly 100 cities with population's less then 10,000 report active street gangs (Klein). Many stereotypes of gangs have been fabricated. The problem is that a majority of gang members do not fit these stereotypes, which, in turn, makes it hard for the to be caught (Klein). Traditionally they organize their group around a specific neighborhood, school or housing project. This geographic orientation has been the roof of inter-gang violence (Klein).

Many gangs have an initiation process for the new members to complete. The initiation usually consists of a variety of negative activities. Such activities range from truancy, fighting, vandalism, burglarizing, assault, homicide, and extortion. Another step of initiation may be to get a certain tattoo (Klein). Many gangs have certain hand signals, nicknames, and religious symbols (Hutson). Catching the gangs are very difficult.

It involves full, in-depth background checks. This is necessary because most gang members can be very deceiving and are skilled liars (Hutson). There has been a relationship made between gangs and homicide. John J. Dilulio Jr., a criminologist and author, long-established that in the past year, Los Angeles, has experienced a 131 percent jump in gang related homicides. He also added that these statistics have risen in every other category as well: felony, assault, robbery, kidnap, rape, arson, and carjacking. He stated that this could be a sign showing what is to come to other American cities (Hutson).

Many factors come into play when talking about gang violence. Two of the most common factors are modeling and social approval for delinquent acts. Some blame these acts on the media. Movies can have a negative effect on youth (Synder). Movies and other media may serve as control systems for the working through of psychological and social conflicts. Many of the youthful audiences may experience and carry out their inner conflicts, desires, and fears, within the managed forms of the motion picture (Synder).

Robert K. Ressler, a criminologist, explains that some families act as if they are in another world and their behaviors unfold independent of the quality of neighborhoods, poverty, class, relations, crime, or any other factor. Poor family socialization is the final cause of criminality (Singer). Gangs are a visual symbol of deprived families. They tend to grow in isolation from the surrounding social world (Singer). John J. Dilulio Jr., a criminologist, states that social factors range from family life to economic issues, program funding, and cultural changes (Hutson). A problem that is usually associated with gangs is the use of drugs.

Anglin Hutson of Nation's Cities Weekly, stated that drug, gang connection is often cited, but many researchers believe this activity is overstated. Most street gangs are not efficient or sophisticated drug distributions (Klein). Klein goes on to say that members of gangs are normally arrested for crimes such as burglary, assault, fighting, vandalism, homicide, and extortion. There has been a link from recent evidence between inner-city gang members and drug traffic, states Professor Dr. Edward J. La tessa and chairman of the University of Cincinnati's Division of Criminal Justice. Gangs members usually carry weapons and drugs on them.

Robert K. Ressler, a criminologist and worked for the FBI, believes that crack started kids with the use of guns. The gang members felt they had to carry guns to protect themselves. These members with crack and cash thought that they could prevent robberies if they started carrying weapons. The behavior however, went beyond drug trade. Many saw the guns as a measure and status of power.

The problem is that now a typical teenage dispute that used to be a fist fight, ends in a shooting (Witt). John E. Douglas, criminologist, said in 1989 that gang related violent crimes are so horrible that there is a possibility it is inevitable. Douglas found that from 1984 to 1993 the number of murders nationwide climbed 31 percent. In the United States alone 216,986 people were killed (Douglas).

The overall murder rate went from 7.9 per 100,000 in 1985 to 9.8 per 100,000 in 1991. Robert K. Ressler, a criminologist, targeted the young people as those who commit most of the crime. A relationship exists between crime and the economy. Phillip Cook of Duke University Public Policy, states that many social scientists have long believed in a connection between poverty and crime. Thus, a booming economy (4.3 percent unemployment rate) could be driving crime lower. With more hope of finding legal jobs, young people will less likely turn to crime.

Controversially, robbery and burglary fluctuate with the economy, murders usually do not. During the 1960's, a time of low unemployment, the crime rates went up (Otero). Although wealth and prosperity could be a factor, it is most likely not the reason for the crime. There are many causes of gang involvement. MW Klein, a gang researcher, explains that gangs are perceived as a source of protection in a violent world. Klein goes on to say that two predictors of gang membership are residence in a gang-infested neighborhood, and having an older sibling whois already involved in a gang.

Some other individual risk factors are status, identity needs, poverty, unemployment, dysfunctional family, ethnicity, and inadequate education opportunities. Another cause may be the breakdown of the traditional family and community structure, lack of economic opportunities, and limited role models (Klein). The longer one is exposed to these risk factors, the more likely they turn out aggressive, self-centered, and containing a dysfunctional behavior style (Klein). Sociologist, Barbara Jenson of the Oregon Social Learning Center and Department of Youth Services found five factors.

Factors such as, a mother or father arrested, a child has been a client of child protection, one or more transitions in the family (death, divorce, trauma), special education services, a history of antisocial behavior. The American Psychological association in 1993 seminar on youth violence identified four similar factors. Early involvement with drugs and alcohol, access to weapons, association with anti-social and deviant peer groups, and pervasive exposure to media violence. Such youth are more likely to misjudge motives and intentions due to hostility and agitation they carry (Singer). There are many current attempts and suggestions for future changes to solve the problem of gang violence. In Austin Texas, a Parks and recreation coordinator founded the "Get Real" program.

The program is still small, but it has positively affected the lives of a number of children and teens. The initiative provides funds for fallen youth. In order to keep the youth off the streets planned activities are formed (Crompton). The "CRASH" (Community Resources Against Hoodlums) is another program that has been created.

The program provided intermediaries to be on the streets with the gang members. The new members were then able to interact with the former members of the gang. The program was successful in containing violent outbreaks. The "Cops in the Classroom" program's purpose was to make initial contact with the law enforcement a positive experience. This was an opportunity for the youth to communicate with the officer. These methods have proven to be of some success (Klein).

Parents must be taught to recognize signs of gang involvement and constructive responses. "Mother's Against Gangs" helps the parents to prevent school delinquency. The program teaches better parenting skills and an assortment of punishments. The group was somewhat focused on computer literacy.

Homework tutors were also provided for those that were in need of them. The "Youth Struggling for Survival" program was founded by a group of former gang members. The focus is to bring at risk youth together in a positive environment. Native and African American rituals are taught as a substitution for deviant behaviors (Klein). Parents hold a high place in preventing their children from gang involvement. Parent training modules, materials, and courses of instruction should be readily available in order to teach positive, effective parenting.

The parenting skills should be supportive, and they should deliver care and be competent. Reid Patterson of the Journal of Behavioral Disorders, states that parents should practice consistent and fair discipline, they should be careful monitoring activities, possess family management techniques, involved in their child's daily life, and have daily talks with their kids about their experiences and teach problem solving techniques. Merrill Singer, a criminologist, feels that the parents need to try and reduce and eliminate as many risk factors as possible. Society must recommit to raise kids safe. Thousands are in crisis because of stressors from poverty and unemployment. This is resulting in a fertile breed ground for anti-social behavior (Singer).

A good way to solve the problem of gang violence in our society is to get the society to come together as a community. Full services schools need to be created that have expanded capacity to address the complex needs of today's school population. These schools need to tackle prevention through effective collaborations linked between schools, families, and communities. This in turn, will hopefully give youth a chance to develop positive lives. Better partnerships should be built within the community. Robert K. Ressler, a criminologist and former FBI worker suggests that greater efforts should be made in the community to keep in touch with other members to assist in helping each other with good parenting ideas and positive influences (Ressler).

The society needs to focus on unity in order to eliminate the horrifying problem of gang violence. If the communities are willing to put forth the time and energy they may be able to stop the youth from participating in such an awful type of clique. There is nothing to lose in trying, yet many things to be gained. Make the world a safer and happier place to be, stop gang violence.

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