Involvement in Gangs and Gang-Related Activities
Involvement in gangs and gang-related activities are on the rise throughout the country, and youngsters and children make up the majority of those who join gangs. The goal of the unlawful acts carried out by the gangs is to make money or obtain notoriety locally or abroad. The gangs are structured differently depending on the race, region, or activities they engage in, and they typically have leaders who exercise authority and make decisions. The majority of violent crimes reported in the United States have some connection to gangs. Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oklahoma City are among of the U.S. cities with the highest concentrations of gangs and gang-related activity. There are different situations and activities that can lead to an individual joining the gangs.
Risk Factors based on an Individual
Drug intoxication is one of the risk factors associated with gang involvement because when an individual uses a drug like cocaine, marijuana, among others, they tend to have impaired judgment on assessing productive aspects and destructive ones. Addiction to these types of drugs makes the individual constantly interact with the drug peddlers who are usually in gangs and can easily lure the individual into joining the gang since the person has an impaired judgment due to the prolonged use of the drugs (O’Brien, Daffern, Thomas, et al., 2013). Also, regions where these drugs are sold and used forms the area of operation of the gangs, and constant visits and interaction with the gang members can lead to the joining of the gang.
Individuals who have a rebellious character or have prior delinquency are at a higher risk of joining gangs because the activities of the gangs rebel against the laws of the country. Through this similarity, the individual can comfortably fit and operate within a gang since they have similar perception and ways of operation (Lachman, Roman & Cahill, 2013). An individual who has a rebellious character may not see the activities of gangs as wrong or illegal thus, may quickly join the gangs since their perspectives are inline.
An individual’s desire for identity or protection due to victimization poses as a risk for joining gangs. People who are oppressed or victimized in a way may seek protection and assistance by joining gangs since the identity of the gang seems superior and powerful to protect them. On the other hand, individuals who seek identification and fame are prone to join gangs so that they gain popularity and identity within their territories and earn respect from the people.
Risk Factors based on Peer Group
Constant interaction with members of a gang is a risk factor for joining gangs since the interaction will create a bond between the individual and the gang thus, slowly gets accustomed to the ways of the gang. The interaction will make it easy for the members of the gang to lure and recruit the individual and the person will not see the dealings of the gang as illegal since he already sees members of the gang as friends. Due to the constant interaction with the gang members, an individual may slowly adopt the ways and practice the activities carried out by the gangs and end up joining the gang (Alleyne, & Wood, 2014).
In the case of students, having gang members in a class is a risk factor because they may influence the other students to join the gang by portraying it as cool. Since the members of the gang are of same age as the other students, they students may feel comfortable in the company of their peers and end up joining the gang. The activities and lifestyle of the gang members in class may make the other students join the gang to attain similar qualities (Lachman, Roman & Cahill, 2013). The gang members in a class may offer services or privileges to the fellow students who portray the gang activities as good or helpful making the other students want to join.
Having a friend who uses or traffics drugs is a risk factor for joining gangs because the person is linked to the gangs through the drugs and the friendship relation bounds the drug user to the friend thus the drug user is prone to introduce the individual to the gang. The drug using person will explain the advantages gained for using and trafficking drugs making the friend interested and introducing them to the gang so that the friend also experiences the benefits.
Risk Factors based on Education Institutions
Lack of teacher role models in schools is a risk factor for joining gangs because the absence of role models makes the students vulnerable to emulate other people in the society who may have poor attributes and characteristics like gang members. Teachers who are role models help students by setting a bar the students are supposed to achieve or go beyond thus molding them into successful individuals (Sharkey, Shekhtmeyster Sass et al., 2011). Gangs are very influential and when a student has no positive role model they can easily be swayed into emulating and joining gangs.
A variety of educational frustrations can lead to a student dropping out of school and joining gangs. When students experience difficulties such as insufficient funds to buy school resources or pay for educational activities they may opt to join gangs since they can easily get finances from the gang activities (Sharkey, Shekhtmeyster Sass, et al., 2011). Education frustrations make the student see no importance in learning hence they cannot get jobs in future because they are not qualified and the joblessness makes them join gangs to obtain a source of living.
Low attachment to school is another risk factor for joining gangs because when a student is not enthusiastic about learning or school activities, they may start skiving classes end eventually drop out of school. As drop outs, the society does not have much to offer and may result in joining the gangs as they will be the only group willing to accept them (Sharkey, Shekhtmeyster Sass, et al., 2011).
Risk Factors based on family
Family neglect and disorganization is a risk for joining gangs because when a child is from a disorganized family which neglects character shaping and discipline thus the child will have no insight about the negativities of gangs. Without this crucial knowledge due to neglect by the parents, the child can easily join gangs with the thought that they are beneficial (O’Brien, Daffern, Thomas, et al., 2013). Family neglect may arise from drug or alcohol abuse because most of the time the parents are not sober to enlighten their children about the negative effects of gangs and warn them against joining them.
Having delinquent siblings or other family members who are in gangs is a risk for joining gangs because most families spend most of the times together and the family members may easily convince a person from the family to join the gang. Family members are bound by blood and trust in each other thus when a family members introduce another member to a gang it will be difficult to refuse as it may seem disrespectful.
Extreme economic deprivation is another risk factor for joining gangs because the family members require basic needs and there is no financial support thus, a family member may opt to join gangs to perform gang-related activities to earn a living. Money is essential but the means to obtain it are tasking, and individuals may choose to join gangs to gain money easily without hardship (Alleyne, & Wood, 2014). Money deprived people tend to be desperate and may do anything to get a small amount of money which may lead to joining of gangs.
Risk Factors based on the Community
Feeling unsafe in a neighborhood can be a risk factor for joining gangs because gangs are a symbol of superiority and protection whereby they help other gang members when on difficulty. This shows that if an individual joins a specific gang they get identified by that gang and the gang will go to extremes to ensure the safety of their member (O’Brien, Daffern, Thomas et al., 2013). When there are safety issues in a neighborhood, and the gang is the only source of protection, more members of the society will keep on joining the gang.
Presence of gangs in a neighborhood is a risk factor for joining the gang as the members will be seeing the operations and activities of the gang some of which may excite them leading them to join and become members (Alleyne, & Wood, 2014). Most gang members possess firearms, and people within the neighborhood may want to have firearms; therefore, they join the gangs so that they get a chance to have and use a firearm for the thrill.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that there are different categories of risk factors which can entice a person to join the gangs ranging from the individual themselves, peer groups, education institutions, families, and the community. As an individual, drug use and delinquency are the major risk factors for joining gangs. In the case of peer groups, constant interaction with members who are in gangs is the risk factor for joining gangs. Schools also form a risk for joining gangs when the students when the student has no role model teachers or has education frustrations. Gangs are very influential, and there are many instances that can cause an individual to join them.
References
Alleyne, E., & Wood, J. L. (2014). Gang involvement: Social and Environmental Factors. Crime & Delinquency, 60(4), 547-568.
Lachman, P., Roman, C. G., & Cahill, M. (2013). Assessing youth Motivations for Joining a Peer Group as risk Factors for Delinquent and Gang Behavior. Youth violence and juvenile justice, 11(3), 212-229.
O’Brien, K., Daffern, M., Chu, C. M., & Thomas, S. D. (2013). Youth Gang Affiliation, Violence, and Criminal Activities: A Review of Motivational, Risk, and Protective Factors. Aggression and violent behavior, 18(4), 417-425.
Sharkey, J. D., Shekhtmeyster, Z., Chavez-Lopez, L., Norris, E., & Sass, L. (2011). The Protective Influence of Gangs: Can Schools Compensate?. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(1), 45-54.
