Verified Document

Gang Membership A Gang Involves Multiple Chapters

Peer pressure in the form of coercion, harassment or intimidation, may result to a person joining the gang. The desire to appear cool is also a major cause to many young people joining gangs. The trends and signs and reputations associated with the gangs such as fashion, tattoos and class appear to appeal to the persons and hence attract them to join the gangs. The excitement of young a person to defy authority also causes many to want to join gangs. In addition, family history may also contribute to gangs. The family may have been involved in gangs over several generations. This type of gang pressure is hard to stop since the lifestyle of such people is defined by association with the gang (Marcovitz, 2010). The race of individuals may cause the need to form gangs due to discrimination within the society.

For the members of the gang, most members gain favors such as protection, a sense of belonging especially for those who come from families that do not support them. Also, for those with financial difficulties, gangs made for economic gain help them to survive. For gangs associated with family history and generations, provide the source of livelihood for the family. These are some of the benefits connected with gang membership for individuals.

However, the membership to a gang association has its repercussions. Gang membership poses many dangers and problems to the members and the society too (Decker & Van, 1996). The initiation process may not be safe. Activities...

The use of drugs associated with gangs may cause one permanent addiction and health effects. Some initiation activities such as beating of the recruit cause injuries and may result in permanent deformity. Once one pledges loyalty to the group one is subject to its activities, which may cause one to commit murder, injure and maim persons, and experience lack of consciousness. Crime and violence committed may cause you to be arrested and be convicted.
Most gangs expect total loyalty to the group and its leader (Decker & Van, 1996). One is forced to abide by the rules and do as asked, for instance, dress in a certain manner and color, have tattoos, take certain drugs and contribute in committing crime as prescribed by the gang.

In conclusion, gangs, just as any other legal groups have leadership and some regulations to follow. They also have a wide membership and are well organized (Marcovitz, 2010). The members prescribe to the code of conduct of the gang. However, they pose immense dangers to the members.

References

Cummings, S. (1993). Gangs: The origins and impact of contemporary youth gangs in the United States. Albany, NY: State Univ. Of New York Press.

Decker, S.H., & Van, W.B. (1996). Life in the gang: Family, friends, and violence. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press Marcovitz, H. (2010). Gangs. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub

Sources used in this document:
References

Cummings, S. (1993). Gangs: The origins and impact of contemporary youth gangs in the United States. Albany, NY: State Univ. Of New York Press.

Decker, S.H., & Van, W.B. (1996). Life in the gang: Family, friends, and violence. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press Marcovitz, H. (2010). Gangs. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Gang Involvement Among Teenagers Is
Words: 4747 Length: 15 Document Type: Term Paper

To summarize, research on gangs has shown the gang problem to be increasing dramatically. Gang members list many reasons for joining a gang, including protection, peer pressure, economic needs, social needs, power, because relatives are members, a lack of parental or community support, and social status. According to the research, gangs tend to exist in greater numbers in low-income populations, and in single-parent households. Additionally, research has shown that while

Gang Reduction and Prevention: Overview
Words: 2382 Length: 8 Document Type: Research Paper

gang development, research and reduction strategies as outlined by Klein and Maxson in their 2006 study Street Gang Patterns and Policies. It incorporates additional research beyond Klein and Maxson, but focuses on the basic analysis of the problem offered in their study. The specific focus of the paper is on finding solutions that work, as distinguished from the numerous failed solutions examined by Klein and Maxson -- with an

Gang Prevention Program Gangs Contain
Words: 5590 Length: 16 Document Type: Thesis

George Knox, director of the National Gang Crime Research Center, teaches law enforcement officers how to search WebPages to pick up on gang member's lingo, territories, and rivalries. He also asserts it is crucial for officers to learn how to "read between the lines" when searching gang members' WebPages. Time on the Web, similar to time on the streets, gives gang investigators the ability to read the hieroglyphics of wall

Gangs in South Florida
Words: 4060 Length: 14 Document Type: Capstone Project

Hybrid Gangs in South Florida On Public Policy towards Volatile Movements South Florida has an increasing prevalence of criminal gangs in their communities and it is posing a growing threat to their security and safety. It is clear that in that region criminal hybrid gangs are spreading violence and fear in their neighborhoods making places like their parks unusable, and even bringing corrupt behavior passages to work and school, stopping legitimate businesses

Gangs Formation and Functioning
Words: 2774 Length: 9 Document Type: Essay

Introduction A far greater number of US citizens become victims of gang-initiated violence as compared to mass shootings or terrorist attacks. Gang members contribute to a disproportionately high percentage of the violence and crimes witnessed in the nation. Roughly two-thousand gang-linked murders are reported across the country per annum, which makes up 13% of overall murders in the nation. America's gang-connected murder rate alone (approximately 2 for every 100,000 individuals) goes

Approaches to Managing School Gangs
Words: 1642 Length: 5 Document Type: White Paper

Gangs in Public School Many schools especially in urban and suburban areas continue to register gang-related activities within their premises and involving their students. This study appreciates the dangers associated with such gangs to the schools and other stakeholders around them. Various laws and regulation have been passed in different states in the U.S. allow parents to withdraw their children from certain public schools. Schools reputed for gang-related problems stand to

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now