Gangs have been around since all of us can remember. Anywhere from the Blood, Crips, and the 18th Street. Gangs account for much of the violence in today's society, and they're only getting bigger. Most gangs are found in larger cities, however they're becoming more popular across the nation. In the website I found, it says that there are approximately 800,000 gang members in America.The reason for joining a gang is different for every member, however it's most common that young adults join because they're not getting enough attention at home or they have a bad family life. People also join a gang that fits their specific race/beliefs, this is another way that the members feel connected with each other. The age of gang members keeps on decreasing as well, kids as young as 10 years old are starting to join gangs for 'approval'. However, most of the kids that join gangs will die at a young(er) age due to the impeccable amounts of violence they're exposed to. I think it's extremely sad that these kids feel the need to join a gang to belong, however to them it's just something ordinary that they're use to. They know they're going to get beat up, and possibly killed but it's a price they're willing to pay. Here are two websites that say more about gangs:
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-gangs
http://www.helpinggangyouth.com/statistics.html
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-gangs
http://www.helpinggangyouth.com/statistics.html
This is very disturbing, I know when I was in Arizona I saw a lot of Hispanic gangs that were walking around, but nothing too intimidating. But the thought that there are kids as young as 10 makes me think of Africa and all the violence over there. The upbringing is bad and the fact that they live in a violent area doesn't help. Our only way to prevent this from happening is to enforce the main source of the gangs, trying to take down the places they originate to try and scatter them maybe. I don't know, seems like a stop to gangs is almost impossible.
I agree with Nate in that it seems almost impossible to end gangs. Gangs are everywhere! Although I think it's good to find a group to belong to, gangs are definitely the wrong way. What I don't really understand is why gangs feel the need to resort to violence to get the things they want. Of course it's the easier way but it's sad that they don't care about the huge loss of lives that their violence causes. It's also devastating that kids as young as 10 are joining gangs. What's even worse is that they're parents aren't doing enough to keep these kids safe and away from gangs. I definitely would not want my child to be in that kind of environment. I wish there was something law enforcement could do but like I said earlier, it's highly unlikely.
Gang violence is something that is very scary, but is also not a big problem for us locally in Iowa. It is a bigger problem in cities, were there are also more people. It is something that is difficult to reduce, but I do not necessarily believe that it is impossible. It may be impossible to eradicate completely, but not impossible to reduce. The answer is not to attack the gangs, and try to stop people who are currently members; the answer is to stop children from ever needing to join gangs. If it seems that people are joining gangs because they live in a rough neighborhood, or have a family life that is difficult, these children need to be provided with opportunities. Things like after school programs, sports, and other ways to connect with peers so they do not need this interaction with gangs. Many of these people just want to be included, or have some place where they can feel “safe.” Gangs can provide these kinds or services, as well as providing people with things they need, such as food and money. (Assuming gangs appear in typically poorer neighborhoods) If children and young adults are provided with opportunities, and educated on they can have a better life without being a gang membership. As usual, education is the best solution to prevent gang membership in the long time. Below is a link to eHows list of ways to prevent gangs.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2090450_stop-gang-violence.html
I thought these two websites were very informational. I am also enrolled in the Drugs, Crime and Society class this semester and most of the information about gangs and their involvement in violence is included in these articles. I thought it was very interesting to read that gangs commit 6.6 million violent crimes in the U.S. alone. I know from my class that most of these violent crimes are due to drugs and money. I am just wondering how many of these 6.6 million crimes are related directly to drugs or money. I looked up the many crimes that gangs may commit and came across this website that lists 8 different crimes. The website also goes through different reasons to why a juvenile may want to join a gang and their initiation into a gang. The initiation really surprised me because the gang is allowed to beat the inductee for 10 minutes and IF the inductee survives then they are a part of the gang. So, some inductees are beaten to death trying to get into a gang, boy that sounds like a lot of fun. Seriously, why go through the chance of being beaten to death to be accepted into a gang? Is it really worth it?? NO. The website also shows the consequences of a juvenile joining a gang. This website is: http://gangs23456.tripod.com/id3.html
Also, I completely agree that gangs are near to impossible to end. I thought it was very interesting that there are 24,500 gangs in the U.S. and it made me wonder what types of gangs are present here in Iowa. I found this website that lists the known gangs in Iowa and it even listed the different gangs that are present in the prisons here in Iowa. This website is: http://cruisin2.wordpress.com/2006/12/29/gangs-in-our-state/