Gang Violence Essay

but you may also see strange writing below it. They say to other gangs that

In society today, there is a major problem We live in a society where gangs are taking over our neighborhoods in numbers. It is the responsibility of the individuals to part take in getting their neighborhoods back under control. Gangs are becoming a growing problem in American society. More young people are turning to gangs to solve problems in their lives or for acceptance. When youths join gangs, they drop all their social activities with school, family, and friends. However, individuals ruin their lives, and the chances of them having a decent education, and a successful life by getting involved in gang activity.

gang members or to rival gangs. These signs say we are number one, or Power.

     Ever since the terrible tragedy at Columbine High School, there has been a numerous list of recent school shootings in America. Youth violence is a major issue in today’s society. Many people dread what causes adolescents to be so violent, committing horrible crimes.     

What ever happened to kids wanting saying they wanted to be a police officer, fireman, doctor or teacher when they grow up? Does anyone ever say, when I grow up I want to be in a gang? According to the National Gang Threat Assessment there are over one million gang members in California and over forty percent are under the age of eighteen. Just in Fresno alone there are over twelve thousand gang members and over 500 gangs (Overend). Gang violence is a growing problem and if we don’t try to control it now it will be a bigger problem in the future.

Throughout the years, many plausible solutions to gang violence have been presented. A commonly thought of solution to gang violence is to punish and arrest gang members. People want anyone who is in contact with gangs locked up, but that will only make gangs rebel more. By doing so, the streets would be rid of gangs, but jails would be overpopulated with them. It may seem like having gangs in jail would solve the problem, but gang leaders being in jail does not stop a gang from continuing what they’re doing. Arresting gang members teaches nothing except for children to hate the authorities. “From 1985 to 1994, the number of American youths arrested for murder increased 158%, to more than 2,200” (Teen Gangs and Crime, 1996). If a child resents the authorities, they would be more likely to join a gang that goes against authorities. Officials are aware that they cannot arrest their way out of gang violence, and they have to take positive measures (Parks & Recreation, 2009). The most important thing to remember is “To treat this not

The results threaten our children at a younger age and are thwarting the virtuous influence of education/school that we try to inspire our children with. It seems that our children see the some good out of joining a gang, whether it is because of security, fear, or pure nostalgia, it is happening and needs to be stopped nationally; the only way to stop gangs is through a national perspective because of the origins of gangs and because the are engrained in today’s culture and need to be a nationwide, or at least statewide initiative.

Statistics show that guns are rarely used for self-defense. Not even one percent of victims of gun violence protected themselves with a firearm. 1.4 million guns were stolen from US homes between 2005 to 2010. Gun violence roughly cost every American about $600 and the government five and a half a million dollars in lost tax revenue. Several billion dollars from the court cases. And several other things costing America a lot and it is safe to say has a huge effect on our national debt.

There had been a few events throughout my lifetime when I was little and had me feeling mentally most of the time since I was young. One of those that occurred when I was living in Stockton, Gang members would come up to me and try to convince me to join their gang and stuff I didn't really know that much of gang activity back then I mean i seen some gang getting in fights or doing drive by shooting down my street I didn't really like the violence. One time I got moved to this one School I didn't really like it to be honest I kept it real with some people that was cool with me all the rest I didn't like, there was a group of kids that was in a gang that me and my boys didn't like one time I went to the bathroom and all of them came in together and jumped me… That's when I started hanging out with my boys that gang bang because I knew they were going to be the only ones to get my back for me plus they were like family to me and one time we found them hanging out so me and my boys were ready to fight them so we did, It felt good getting them back for jumping me till my boys started coming up and started bring out weapons that's when I was like thinking I should stop hanging out with them because I can see myself later on going to jail for weapons charges, Drug possession, assault and battery.

In order to come to a solution, an understanding of different aspects of the problem is required. Gangs are not a recent trend. “While they have existed in some verifiable form in the United States since the 19th century, the 1950’s showed the worst juvenile delinquency statistics the world had seen (Siegel and Welsh, 2011).” Major cities such as New York enacted curfews to help curb this issue, however at the time not many studies had been performed to realize the widespread activity and cause of such delinquency rates.

Gang crimes, such as graffiti, burglaries, murder and extortion, are devastating to a community’s well-being and sense of security. “The vast majority of violent incidents involving gang members continue to result from fights over

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.

    Gang violence is a huge problem in America today. More and more children are joining gangs every day. It has become evident that these gangs made up of young people are causing numerous problems. Gang violence and gang activities impact all of those around the gang members. The kids in these gangs are hurting themselves, each other, their families, and the communities around them. Those who are associated with the gangs through family ties or just those who are associated with the gangs through geographical location. Before we can understand how gangs effect the people and communities around them we must first understand what gangs actually are. We must try and understand how the gang members think,

This is so, for a number of reasons, but I shall only mention the two

Despite an increasing fear and continued concern, possibly being murder victims, the homicide rate in the United States for the past 25 years has remained consistently flat (Blumstein, Rivara, & Rosenfeld, 2000). Researchers have completed various studies showing the relationship among weapon type used in certain homicide type. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, "70% of homicide victims were murdered by use of a firearm. Their findings also show 56% of those victims were killed by handguns" (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003). When referring to gender, a study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirms that "men are much more