GANGS
Gangs are a violent reality that people have to deal with
in today's cities. What has made these groups come about?
Why do kids feel that being in a gang is both an acceptable and
prestigious way to live? The long range answer to these
questions can only be speculated upon, but in the short term
the answers are much easier to find. On the surface, gangs
are a direct result of human beings' personal wants and peer
pressure. To determine how to effectively end gang violence we
must find the way that these morals are given to the individual.
Unfortunately, these can only be hypothesized. However, by
looking at the way humans are influenced in society, I believe
there is good evidence to point the blame at several
institutions. These include the forces of the media, the
government, theatre, drugs and our economic system.
On the surface, gangs are caused by peer pressure and
List of criminal gangs in Los Angeles, California
Image depicting member of MS13 gang. Work of the F...
English: An MS-13 suspect bearing gang tattoos is ...greed. Many teens in gangs will pressure peers into becoming
part of a gang by making it all sound glamorous. Money is also
an crucial factor. A kid (a 6-10 year old, who is not yet a
member) is shown that s/he could make $200 to $400 for small
part time gang jobs. Although these are important factors they
are not strong enough to make kids do things that are strongly
against their morals.
One of the ways that kids morals are bent so that gang
violence becomes more acceptable is the influence of television
and movies. The average child spends more time at a TV than
she/he spends in a classroom. Since nobody can completely turn
off their minds, kids must be learning something while watching
the TV. Very few hours of television watched by children are
educational, so other ideas are...