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Gangs And Social Control Theory

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Gang, a word carrying great fear, with no exact or universal definition, that carries similar visuals throughout the nation. The federal definition of the word “gang”, is an association of 3 or more persons that identify as a group and use a collective identity, such as tattoos, colors, symbols or personal styles, which create an aura of fear, with a purpose to engage in violent criminal activities. Membership guidelines & amenities vary by gang, but often they include: protection from other gangs and the general public, control of certain areas, defense of shared rival’s interest, and have a distinct structure. These gangs often meet on a regular basis to engage in criminal activity such as drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime(NIJ, …show more content…

The better performance in school, and the disregard for one’s peers’ delinquency, also points toward a more law abiding citizen. Gang members do not have healthy relationships with other gang members, nor do gangs discriminate based upon social class, and while delinquency is discouraged in all societies, the lack of social bonds within these societies fuel gang membership. The social control theory may explain why the MS-13 gang is so powerful, because most often these members are detached from their families, have low education levels, and have no regard for conformity. The lack of attachment to positive role models and discipline, results in an individual that can have poor intellectual and social abilities, not caring about the expectations of others or society, the perfect candidate for an MS-13 gang member. Effective methods of social control must involve the fear of punishment. These gang members do not fear punishment as most are deported to wreak their violent havoc back home, and gain greater power over local and national societies, while avoiding prosecution. The adaptation of this gang to the inter-workings of law enforcement allows the proliferation and constant societal fear to continue indefinitely. The MS-13 gang members will collectively …show more content…

Social theory implies that attachment, commitment, involvement and belief, have strong correlations when it comes to crime. Hirschi states “The person who is attached to conventional people is, for example, more likely to be involved in conventional activities and to accept conventional notions of desirable conduct(Beirne, pg 151). The lack of the gang member’s individual ties to conventional people and norms, the less likely he/she is to be involved in conventional actions. The gang member’s lack of involvement in conventional society’s activities and conducts is replaced by the involvement in a non-conventional society of crime and violence, creating generations of MS-13 conformists, and a continued societal fear throughout North and Central

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The El Salvadoran government’s recent “Mano Duro” policies created a massive overcrowding of prisons where established MS-13 members recruit the few adolescents not yet involved in gang activity. To become a full-fledged member of MS-13, recruits must show their allegiance to the gang by getting tattoos all over their bodies. Additionally, male members are beaten for thirteen seconds and female members must engage in sexual intercourse with every male member of that particular

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Gangs are responsible for an average of 48 percent of violent crime in most jurisdictions, and up to 90 percent in others, according to the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment. Perhaps one of the most notorious street gangs in the western hemisphere is The Mara Salvatrucha also known as MS 13. “Mara” is Salvadorian for “Group”, although there is debate over the origin and meaning, it is commonly known to mean “street smart. MS 13 was formed on the streets of Los Angeles in the 1980’s by immigrants. “Mara Salvatrucha Stoners” is what MS 13 was originally called, they emphasized on partying, friendship and protecting one another from other gangs in L.A.

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Gang violence and activity has arisen in the past decades, with exceeding concerns and amongst youth being the primary target. Law enforcement try to gain a better understanding to why people are falling into criminal activity. Throughout the following essay we will be summarizing the background of one of the most notorious gang known internationally, MS-13. In addition, we will also be explaining ways different criminology theorist and theories apply to these particular group of people.

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In the United States, every year there are around 2,000 gang-related homicides and in the realistic fiction novel, The Outsiders, by S.E Hinton, it explores the issues of gang violence, and teenagers in gangs. Around 40% of all members in gangs are teenagers, who are getting involved in some dangerous things very early in life. In the novel The Outsiders, the “Greasers” which is a gang of all teenagers, fight other gangs and commit serious crimes such as murder. We as a society need to pinpoint why teenagers join gangs and stop them beforehand. We also need to help people get out of gangs if they are already in one.

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Also ”gangs offer protection and governance in places where established institutions fail, and that it makes sense for prisoners to join them,” (Skarbek). This is the main reason people join gangs they are forced to in order to insure their safety. The reason the leaders of the gang allow people to join and keep the safe is explained here ”Gangs can trade far more effectively than lone inmates. Prisoners listen when they threaten violence; members can ease trade from the outside after their release. Consumers, in this case buyers of drugs, benefit too.

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References Egley, A., & Howell, J. C. (2012). Highlights of the 2010 National Youth Gang Survey. Retrieved from: https://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/237542.pdf Sanders, R., & Moore, S. (n.d.). Mandatory Waiver for Juvenile Gang Members in Tennessee. Retrieved from: http://www.belmont.edu/burs/pdf/Social%20Work-%20Sanders%20and%20Moore.pdf Searles, K. (2017).

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They examine current gang management strategies and see what works and does not. They completed their research by survey. “First, according to the respondents, inmate containment and sanctions were perceived to be very effective at managing gangs…. The second strategy is based on investigations, which if successful, also increases the costs of being affiliated with a STG through internal and external sanctions… Last, respondents placed great value on using the products of these investigations through intelligence sharing within their prison system, other correctional systems, and with law enforcement (Winterdyk & Ruddell,p. 734.

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Gangs represent themselves by symbolizing different colored bandanas for each gang, wearing baggy clothes, and mainly jeans and t-shirts. Rap music is typically associated with gangs also. Lingo of gangs can be things such as heavy use of slang, derogatory terms which are usually used to describe other gangs, and secret codes. A secret code of the largest American gang, the Bloods, is “suwoop” which is supposed to imitate the sound of a police siren. Tattoos can represent a gang too, as many will get tattoos all over their bodies that symbolize which gang they are associated with.

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We learn from the things we experience, the things we see, and the people with whom we associate. We learn from our surroundings , experiences, acquaintances, friends, and family. Contends that we learn aggression like any other behaviour-by watching others and imitating their behaviour” (2014). This theory explains that people act and do illegal things because that is all they have been taught. Those in gangs who may use violence to resolve conflict and/or establish a respectable name for themselves have been surrounded with those who do the same thing.

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This paper draws on existing sociological research in identifying a number of theories used in explaining the formation of gangs. The theories discussed are social structure theories, social conflict theory, and social process theories all of which highlight elements of strain in different forms as they relates to gang formation. According to Merton, (as cited in Schneider & Tilly, 2004) structural theories significantly emphasize the role of social and economic structures as the causes of delinquent behavior and tend to treat criminal behavior as the result of the undesirable and dysfunctional structures (P. 3.).

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Introduction Juvenile delinquency due to gang relation has increased drastically. Many people fail to realize that gangs have a considerable influence on the decisions juveniles are making. Adolescents are easily influenced by the members of the gangs and manipulated to commit certain crimes. As juveniles they are not mentally and emotionally mature to make such critical decisions, which in turn allow gang members to manipulate and control the youth they recruit. Juveniles become a part of gangs for several reasons, including, gaining protection, governmental, and social issues.

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