Gangs in the Urban Environment

Paper Summary:

The paper looks closely at delinquent gangs, taking into consideration the strength and power of peer groups in an adolescent's life.
Gangs have come to symbolize America's urban moral and economic decline. The writer argues, however, that understanding the society in which they have been formed gives us a greater understanding of and sensitivity towards gang members.

From the Paper:

"When looking through the literature that surrounds the gang phenomenon, certain similarities found among the people who choose to affiliate themselves in a gang. Defiance of parents, premeditated aggression and formal acts of violence were all highly associated with gang membership (Friedman, et. al., 1975). Socioeconomic factors have also been linked to gang affiliation, as members within a certain gang usually come from similar economic backgrounds. Also found were a dysfunctional family system, low self-esteem, poor academic performance, and poor vocational training. Parental education levels are usually low, and the adolescents usually lacks positive role models in their lives (Clark, 1992). Gang members often have a poor outlook on life and lack humor and spontaneity, with hopeless feelings about their future. Depression is common, as are suicidal feelings and acts of self-mutilation. Clark (1992) found that gang members often have a hard time making and maintaining close relationships, often staying on a superficial level with their peers. Jankowski (1991) found the gang members in the ethnographic study he conducted to be especially defiant, tough, wary, self-reliant and competitive individuals who joined the gang so as to improve their social status in their 'hood, for income, and for personal safety reasons. When looking at these defining characteristics of a gang member, one must not forget the environment they have been born into, the inner city. Many of these characteristics may seem delinquent and maladjusted, but when viewed through the lens of the depressed inner city, they emerge as reasonable coping mechanisms."

More papers on Gangs in the Urban Environment:

• Term Paper # 106642 : "Strategic Planning in the Built Environment Sector"
• Essay # 84504 : "Law Enforcement Studies"
• Analytical Essay # 146396 : "Parental Perception of School Violence"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: