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Youth Gang Involvement Essay

1378 Words6 Pages

Introduction
Youth gang involvement has long been a pressing societal issue, with complex and varied underlying motives. Youth can join gangs for many reasons, but understanding these reasons is critical to developing effective intervention strategies. By addressing individual and structural elements in young people's lives, we can identify and tackle the root causes of gang involvement in youth. Examining the experiences that draw youth into gangs is essential, as these can be powerful influences. To prevent young people from joining gangs, we must focus on the factors that shape their lives and choices. This paper will examine multiple elements in a young person's life that could lead them to join a gang and what society can do to help stop …show more content…

The author highlights that although gang members can come from different family backgrounds, most of them come from families with a single parent, a history of gang involvement, substance abuse problems, and poor parent-child attachment. This suggests that the family environment is critical in shaping a young person's decision to join a gang. In families with a lack of emotional support and care, young people may feel neglected and seek out alternative sources of support, such as gangs. In such circumstances, gang membership may offer a sense of belonging, protection, and identity not found in the family unit. This can lead to a breakdown in family relationships, as young people prioritize their loyalty to the gang over their family ties, further exacerbating their social isolation and vulnerability. Strengthening family relationships and promoting a healthy family environment is essential to prevent young people from joining gangs and encourage positive development. By addressing these systemic issues, we can help prevent young people from feeling like they have no other option but to join gangs and promote their positive

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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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