Gang Subculture

Furthermore, the book, Youth Gangs in American Society by Randall Shelden, Sharon Tracy, and William Brown (2013) discusses several theories about why people join gangs. One theory that I think especially fits the explanation as to why people join gangs, with regards to this book, is the control/social bond theory. Shelden et al define control/social bong theory as “when a youth’s, bonds or ties, to society are weak or broken, especially with family, school and other institutions, when this occurs, a youth is apt to seek bonds with other groups, including gangs, in order to get his or her needs met”(p 193). I think so many groups in society let this boy down in My Bloody Life, including his family, the school system and even the police. Consequently with his ties to society so weak, he reached out to a gang that gave him a sense of comfort and belonging.

The presence of the Mexican population in the United States dates back to the 16th century, when people of Spanish, Indian, Mexican, and Anglo backgrounds occupied the region that was then northern Mexico and is currently the American South-west, including parts of what today is Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. It is noted that Mexicans comprise the largest modern-day immigrant group and largest immigrant group in American history (sagepub).

Shellie, I wasn't surprised that women want to leave the gang life for a better future for their child but I did find it bizarre that men more so want their children to grow up in the lifestlye of gangs. This to me was something I thought existed in the past when thinking of mobs and the mob lifestyle. I assumed that over time men would also feel the same way and want a better life for their children but when the gang lifestlye is all theyve ever lived and all they know it makes sense now to see why they think its positive and good for their future children to be invovled. I think wanting that is more of a safety factor for a parent and that they believe the best way of life is to follow in their own foot steps which is understandable after

The life-course perspective goes into detail about the onset, persistence, and the desistance process and show that there are connections that are present, and once these connections linger, then the relinquishing of the power that gangs have over people is released. These researchers note that often times juveniles are joining particular gangs, participate, and then leave. So, when studying this process, Pyrooz & colleagues’ (2010) found that by using the conceptual framework that life-course perspective adds, we can better understand the organization and the process of how gangs work over time. This research also provided us with an understanding of the ties that members associate with their respective gangs, and just how hard it is to break those ties and let go of the gang lifestyle through the life-course. In regards to these ties, the researchers concluded that leaving a gang can be tumultuous, it is a time of confusion and possible victimization. Another significant finding was that leaving a gang is not the same process for everyone, there are diverse variables that affect individuals differently. If these variables are not taken into consideration, then the ties to the gang and the desistance process is likely to be less successful (Pyrooz & colleagues,

There are many overlapping themes and ideas present within the research report and the textbook. One main idea that was present in both documents, was the cultural aspect of gang integration. In both the textbook and in the research report, culture is intrinsically linked to gang involvement, as often times the culture that an individual practices will impact their standing within a gang. Furthermore, culture binds people together, which also happens when an individual joins a gang of like-minded and culturally similar others. Another area that was discussed in both documents, was how gang activity is related to school. In the textbook, school and other educational and institutional systems either excluded youth, or were simply not attended

There are an abundance of reasons why some youth may choose to join a gang. The lacking of sense of guidance positively and

The absent of a male role model in the home, some feel rejected by family as well as neglected. So they seek the attention elsewhere. Most join gangs to feel wanted, secure. If the family characteristics of little communication, set rules, punishment and other parental duties were taken serious, their youth will less likely to join a gang. Gang members may only associate with the ones who will accept them in behaviors, value and goals. Children that are not supervised are higher in their adolescence years to seek social interest in their peers that seems to have more fun in a gang. This turns out to be not so much fun when they do criminal activities. (.nationalgangcenter)

Absolutely 100 percent the family is the first and best line of defense against delinquency. Unfortunately, not all families share the same values and what may be considered a norm in one house may not be a norm in another home. Honestly, think of the families that have generations of gang members it is almost expected that their offspring will carry on with the gang life tradition, it is their “rite of passage” (Bartollas & Schmalleger, 2014, p. 264). Nonetheless, a family from the suburbs would not share the same desire for their children to join up with these “thugs”, instead of pushing their child to join they would be pulling against it. A perfect example of what one family would consider to be a blessing another would consider

The underclass theory of gang formation is the idea that people such as adolescents who live in poverty are more likely to join gangs and become delinquents over time. This is because people who live in poverty stricken communities have lack of job sources or means to make any type of adequate living so they resort to what they do have. Oftentimes, that means gang banging and other criminal behaviors in order to survive. This is especially concerning for adolescents because not only are they high influential, but if that’s all they see their older peers and/or siblings doing they are likely to follow. As stated by Bartollas & Miller (2014), gang violence and the defiant attitudes of young men are connected with a competitive struggle in poor

Gangs have direct effects on a society, such as increased levels of crime, violence and murder. Gangs also have long-term or late suggestions in that gang members are more likely to drop out of high school, struggle with unemployment, abuse drugs and alcohol or in end up in jail. These factors not only contribute to the gang members, but they also force taxpayers to pay for welfare and community-assistance programs. Common reasons for the younger generation to join gangs, include trying to find a place where they belong and sharing in mutual desires for safety from family problems or life challenges. Together, the feelings and attitudes among gang members haze them to act violently, often self-contradictory with rival gangs. This violence leads to injury and death of not only members but also of bystanders in the community. High gang activity also causes fear among community members, discourages business activity and obstructs home-value appreciation. Communities, also must pay for higher levels of law enforcement when gangs are prominent.

Some members of delinquent gangs may be the sole carriers of a particular subculture in a particular location, and some are shared. For example conflict subcultures are shared by rival fighting gangs among whom individual and group status involves values related to defense of turf and reputation and norms loyal of these values. Some subcultures oriented to theft and other forms of property crime which they are connected with a particular group. Some property crime involves more organizing and planning in order to succeed. Other crimes such as mugging may involve only one person who shares the same subculture as the larger group. In an article by Terry William’s it states that delinquent subcultures contain elements of both youth and adult cultures. It also stated that to speak of youth culture is to symbolize a subculture of the larger adult-dominated and institutionally defined culture (1989). Many of criminal subculture shares a symbolic relationship with their customs, manly the people

The term youth gangs refers to a group of three or more members, who are between the age of 12 and 24; they share an identity through the use of names or symbols; they see themselves as gang and are recognized by others as a gang; there is some amount of permanence and degree of organization; and the group is involved in an elevated amount of criminal activity (National Gang Center Staff, n.d.). Risk factors for gang involvement are based on factors such as individual, family, school, community. School risk factors include poor school performance, poor connectedness to schools, low degree of commitment to and involvement in school, and weak attachment to teachers (Howell, 2010). Community risk factors includes such things as greater level of criminal activity, neighborhood youth are involved in illegal behaviors, widespread access to and the use of firearms and drugs, and low level of neighborhood attachment (Howell, 2010). Additional factors that lead to gang involvement include learning disabilities and emotional disorders, school failure and truancy, no positive involvement outside of school, friends and peers are delinquent, low income, and early involvement in petty crimes and behavioral disorders in grade school (Hernandez, 2015). Reasons given for joining a gang as reported by youths includes for protection, for fun, for respect, for money, family members are part of the gang (and because a friend was in the gang (Howell, 2010).

Power seekers are also drawn to gang life, which tend to commit crimes that victimize others. One ex-gang member, Lupita explains that she “liked belonging to a gang because people recognized her power and they respected her” (Bazan, Harris, and Lorentzen 380). Gang members use deceptive tactics to prey on the youth by promising protection, acceptance, power, and material wealth. Joining a gang seems to be the best option for disadvantaged youth because it gives them what they are longing for. However, this comes at a price.

Gangs originated naturally during the adolescent years of a child. They started from small play groups that eventually found themselves in conflict with other small groups of youth. Due to the conflict between the two small groups of youth it became a part of a child’s mind set to come together as a gang and protect their rights and satisfy the needs that their environment and families couldn’t provide. There are about 24,500 gangs in the U.S and out of those gangs 40% of them are juveniles (Hess, Orthmann, Wright, 2013). There are numerous reason why a child would join a gang, and the

Many times individuals turn to a gang to escape a life of poverty or financial uncertainty. A sense of hopelessness and desperation can result from being unable to provide the basic necessities. “Young people living in poverty may find it difficult to meet basic physical and psychological needs, which can lead to a lack of self-worth and pride” (Lee, Dean, and Parker 1). Individuals who are faced with a lack of money many times turn to crime if they cannot earn enough at a legitimate job to support themselves or their families. “This partly explains why gangs exist in poor, rundown areas of cities” (Grabianowski 1).