Deviance in Gangs Why Join a Gang
"Deviance in Gang Involvement: Why Join a Gang?"The problem of gang activity is not a new one facing our country. Ever since the beginnings of human existence gangs have served as a means of protection for humans. The issue of gang activity has recently, however, come to the forefront of dilemmas facing our nation. While cities like Chicago and Los Angeles are chronic gang sites, other cities such as "Miami, Portland, Columbus, Dallas, and Milwaukee have only recently (within the last decade) had what they termed as a gang problem" (Conly 7). Gang numbers have, without question, skyrocketed over the past 10 to 20 years. Los Angeles, for example, has recently been estimated to have as many as 90,000 gang members (Conly 14). The importance of these numbers cannot be overlooked. However, to fully understand the problems that gangs may pose to society, the term gang must be defined. Without a definition the impact of gang maliciousness on society may be lost.Throughout its history the term "gang" has possessed a diverse usage, being linked to outlaws in the "wild west" and organized crime groups among others (Decker and Van Winkle 2). Due to this, a
Many youths in the inner city come from broken homes. Many youths would rather be exposed to the realities of a gang war rather than that of fighting a war all on ones own. These drug addicts are primarily young girls who are actually not members of the gang (Sanders 141). This decline is mainly due to the fact that it is risky and no longer as lucrative a trade as the prostitution or sales of drugs. Financial opportunities are very abundant in the gang lifestyle. These opportunities are much more lucrative than part time jobs. 3 million children total, do not live with both of their biological parents (Korem 53). The veterans are old gang bangers who are "no longer active in gang involvement, but still serve as important, symbolic reference persons"(Spergel 84). Prostitution, for example, is a way that many gangs raise revenue. A police officer, for example, may call a gang "an on-going, organized association of three or more persons who individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in criminal activity" (Conly 5). Gangs, without a doubt, provide a substantial base for obtaining money for a group of young people that may otherwise have problems earning money. The floater is not exactly a gang member, as they often exist across and between gang lines (Spergel 84).
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Acceptance Essays
