The Reasons for Gang Membership

Initially gang activity could only be found in large metropolitan cities, but now gangs have invaded neighborhoods of all sizes across the country. Gangs introduce violence and fear to the communities they occupy, raise the level of drug activities, and destroy businesses and property which brings down the overall value of the whole area. Instead of going to school, many young people find themselves drawn in to the gang life which in most cases either leads to being locked up or death. There are various reasons why people would want to join a gang, but no matter what that reason might be one can only expect a life of violence and troubles.

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

Qualitative descriptions suggest that, for many, gang membership represents 104 Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice / May 2005an opportunity to enhance social capital as a means to cope with a multitude of problems. Although on balance gang life appears to be neither very rewarding nor satisfying (Hagedorn, 1988), identification with the gang is solidified in response to conflict—often with other gangs—as members pursue their individual and collective interests.

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

“ Gangs offer a hierarchy of leadership and a path to gain approval and achieve success,” Samenow states in the article “ The Myth of the Street Gang as a ‘Family Substitute’”. As stated, He believes that gang members come from broken families, searching for support, sustenance, acceptance, and a structure that the average family provides. He states that most gang members come from “criminogenic”

The purpose of this research is to identify the sociological aspects and means in which individuals may use in order to affiliate themselves within a gang and their practices. The following research uses statistics and information given by police departments and the Department of Justice. I have searched for reasoning behind an individual’s decision to join a gang from a sociological perspective. It begins by defining a gang and what leads young individuals to a lifestyle and choice of joining these gangs. Sociological approaches are made in order to

When potential gang members become exposed to certain life situations they have a higher risk of joining a gang. When someone joins a gang they become susceptible to partaking in actions that they would not normally do. This paper will give some idea of what a gang is and describe some factors that can motivate a person to get involved with a gang. It will also explain the problem associated with an increase of gang member activity that result of a higher gang homicide. The data will show that the estimated number of gangs was at a high, then that number trended downward. Finally the number has risen to the present and has steadily plateaued at the high. In this report I will explain the relative correlation of the high in gang activity to

The paper will address the reasons why youth join gangs. Social disorganization theory is relevant as to the topic of why youth join gangs because it looks at the learning techniques and of youth joining gangs. In this paper, I argue that youth join gangs because of low socio-economic status, parental influences and neighborhood influences. Social disorganization theory is able to explain low socio-economic status and neighbourhood influences as reasons for youth gang involvement, but it is unable to account for why parental influences lead youth to join gangs.

There are many outside risk factors that influence gang involvement and membership for both males and females. These factors are what lead an individual toward joining a gang and participating in criminal activities. While many of these factors are similar between genders, some weigh heavier for males than females. The risk factors are predominately associated with the environment around young individuals participating in gang activity, as well as uncontrollable factors such as biology.

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).

Gang issues is something that everyone knows exists but does not really understand the actual seriousness of it. Globally and locally gang life is a problem maybe in some areas more than other but it is definitely something that happens worldwide. Keeping this paper at more of a local scale it something state to state in the United States experiences on an almost daily basis. The current essay will informative about the issue of youth turning to gang life as a last resort and the affects it has on people around it as well as possible solutions to fix the problem. Section

Street gangs are most often associated with low income families and poverty. Most gang members come what we call broken homes where the father figure is not present. These children look towards the gangs and the streets for that fulfillment of a father figure and these gangs are more than happy to help them feel like family. Gang leaders talk these children to drop out of school, to participate in dangerous activities that involve drugs and alcohol. “Adolescents who involve themselves in gang activity are at a risk for several factors that may affect their psychological well-being and family involvement.

“A team is where a boy can prove his courage on his own. A gang is where a coward goes to hide” said Mickey Mantle. This quote shows the role of a gang. These gangs are due to whether they are acceptable or dreadful. What is a purpose of a gang, and how does the gang member become the leader.

Abstract: This review studies in depth research done on street gangs. Social issues have social scientists turning away from including this in their research around this time. Sociological views have been changed dramatically in the past 40 years due to gender and racial studies. Also, women have started to join gangs since America has been changed with woman equality laws passing.

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.