Street Gangs Americas Growing Problem - 1056 Words

Street Gangs: Americas’ Growing Problem Gangs have increasingly become a serious problem over the past few decades. A report from the FBI’s 2011 National Gang threat assessment states that there are 1.4 million active gang members comprising of more than 33,000 gangs in the United States. This growth migration of gangs has had a negative effect on our youth. Gang violence causes fear and changes how kids behave in school. In a poll of 2,000 teenagers, â€Å"the respondents reported that their fears of violence often affect how they behave and perform in school† (Wilson, pg. 5). This demonstrates that fear of gang violence affects their learning. â€Å"About 13% said that they had performed poorly in school because of their concerns about crime and violence† (Wilson, pg. 24). This research proves that many teens fear gangs. Involvement in gangs leads to innocent deaths from shootings. â€Å"Many victims of gang-related violence are innocent bystanders† (Miller, pg. 19). This illustrates that innocent people are affected by gang violence. The presents of gangs in an area leads to felony convictions and leads to an increase of crime and drug runs. â€Å"As a member, Shelia was used for drug runs† (Miller, pg. 46). This quote means that members of a gang are manipulated and encouraged or forced to commit crimes. Poor parenting can play an important part in why kids join gangs. â€Å"Children need to feel loved and accepted by their parents. When parents do not respect their children and physicallyShow MoreRelatedNot All Street Gangs Were Formed For Ill Doing1745 Words   |  7 Pages Not all street gangs were formed for ill doing. Many people might think down on the creation of gangs but it is a part of survival in their region. Street gangs, which pull peers into gangs for protection and social status, assemble to protect their neighborhood, family and friends from other street gangs thus causing rising crime rate and innocent people dying because of this. First off, there are a few definitions for gangs because authorities had a hard time explaining what a gang even is.Read More Possible Solutions to the Youth Violence Problem Essay1547 Words   |  7 PagesPossible Solutions to the Youth Violence Problem The birds are chirping, the sun is beaming down through the clouds, and you can hear the shrieks of excitement from the neighborhood park. Walking down the street, you envision raising your family on this picture-perfect street. As the vision becomes more and more detailed, however, the shot of a gun rings out from the distance. You duck behind a parked car, wondering where the bullet came from and why. Looking around, you are shockedRead MoreGang Violence During The 19th Century901 Words   |  4 Pages ¨Gang members have been responsible for 61 percent of all homicides [in Chicago] in 2011, up from 58.7 percent in 2010 ¨ (Hidden America). These are some of the few disturbing statistics about gang violence in Chicago; however, as many people do not know, gangs have not always been about drugs and violence. In the early 19th century, gangs are not what people perceive them to be today. Gangs in the 19th century were volunteers with the fire department back in the Antebellum Period, which is the periodRead MoreShould Street Gangs Be Considered Terrorist Organizations?1711 Words   |  7 PagesShould Street Gangs be Considered Terrorist Organizations? Terror, violence, and death are the common denominators in our society nowadays. Why? Because of street gang fights. Innocent people have been killed as a result of street gangs. These groups of criminals use violence against societies and band together for mutual protection and profit. Street gangs are gangsters controlling, attacking, and killing people on the streets, as a result, they are one of the biggest social problems around theRead MoreHispanic Gangs: Not Just a California Problem Anymore1475 Words   |  6 PagesGangs are not a new problem to the United States. Gangs have often been romanticized in literature and the media with a classic example being â€Å"West Side Story†. Americans have long been fascinated with the Mafia, and infamous gangsters such as Al Capone and John Gotti have even been elevated in status as cultural icons. Americans have seen an uprising in â€Å"Gangster Rap† since the early 1990’s. Many people tend to think of gangs i n America as being made up primarily of young inner-city black malesRead MoreAnalysis Of Alex Kotlowitz s There Are No Children Here1695 Words   |  7 Pagesthe children of inner-cities, experience situations and know of unimaginable horrors that rob them of their innocence and childhoods. Lafeyette and Pharoah have to face and overcome many forces that can change their lives for the worst, such as: gangs and drugs, the social system, the Chicago Housing Authority, and the battle within them to give into the worst of society. Sociological concepts, including: racism, strain theory, and social stratification can explain some of the exploitation of LafeyetteRead MoreEssay on MS-13: A Dangerous Gang1167 Words   |  5 Pagesor commonly known on the streets as (MS-13) is an unfamiliar gang but to (FBI) Federal Bureau Investigation,(ATF) Alcohol, Tabaco, Firearms and Explosives, and local law enforcement agencies,MS-13 is an uprising globalized menace of ruthless criminals who are growing in numbers exponentially. These plagues of criminals are not only making their mark here in the United States but they are deeply rooted in their country of origin, El Salvador and all throughout Central America with the exception of CostaRead MorePrison Gangs : The United States991 Words   |  4 PagesThe fact that prison gangs are not visible to the public makes them seem unknown to the public eye, however the pose the same threats to the United States as all other gangs. Prison gangs are also often written off and forgotten about by authorities due to fact that they are incarcerated. â€Å"Due to their seclusion from the public and their minimal visibility, prison gangs are difficult to target and are thus frequently overlooked as threat actors, which enables them to commit various crimes withoutRead MoreEssay Obstacles That Weaken Democracy 1652 Words   |  7 Pagesdemocracy are street crimes, corruption, and inefficient economy. Building a perfect democracy probably will never occur, but there are ways of meeting people’s expectations of it. As presented by Jesà ºs Silva-Herzog, a Professor of law at the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico, people have expectations for a democracy which are not met, meaning that the democracy fails to the people. For, example when Vicente Fox went into presidency Mexicans had hopes that he would solve economic problems, put aRead MoreThe Impact of Gang Violence in Oklahoma Essay1345 Words   |  6 PagesThe Impact of Gang Violence in Oklahoma Gangs have had a huge impact in Oklahoma the many years they have been here. Gangs account for most of the drug trade, as well as most of the homicides in the Oklahoma area. Gangs are being fueled by the fear they have given the citizens, therefore most people are too afraid to do anything about the problem. â€Å"Every city in the world always has a gang, a street gang, or the so-called outcasts†.- Jimi Hendrix. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/gang