Personality has something to do with it, for example. Those who find excitement in risky and high-stakes social activity would naturally take part in the gang experience. But that does not really explain the prevalence and persistence of gangs, which bring in young people with all kinds of personalities. Sociologists attribute one big motivator to the survival of gang life, and that is the continuing tendency of fatherlessness in some economically fragile communities.
This is a problem for young people, especially boys, because they lack necessary male role models on which to pattern their own lives, values, and behavior. Without enough men to model a mature approach to managing the challenges of life, boys will naturally turn towards the older male gang members as models of behavior and as sources of approval. Older gang members have authority, street knowledge, and seem to have self-confidence, which kids look up to in a confusing world.
It has a structure and authority figures, which are important sources of order. Kids can feel a sense of belonging to an orderly organization. Another motivational factor to consider here is poverty. Poverty means not many people in a given community have jobs or income or wealth, and of those who do, earnings are low, jobs are demanding with little flexibility or sick time, and almost no one owns property or wealth of any kind.
Many of these specific poor people collect welfare and other forms of government assistance, which allows them to survive, but does not necessarily foster skills for meaningful work that pays well or help with the development of wealth. There is stress and suffering in these communities, and gangs can seem like a way out of that.
Photo courtesy of Sang Dao. Sang Dao was born into a Vietnamese family in an impoverished area of Oakland, California, where many of his male relatives were gang members. But by 13, Dao found refuge among Asian-American gang members on the streets. He struggled with English and quit school, which left him an outsider.
Dao was 17 when he was involved in three shootings in , including a road-rage incident in which he fired into a car carrying a woman and baby. Just after he was transferred to an adult corrections facility, Oregon granted Dao clemency, with the support of his victims and several local authorities who said they had witnessed his successful rehabilitation.
News Kids Imprisoned. He works with Oregon kids entering the justice system, including many who have been involved with gangs. Ru Camp is a free mixed martial arts program designed specifically for kids in areas of Orlando with high rates of crime and youth violence. In more than six years of training hundreds of kids, none has been arrested under his tutelage, he said.
We could use any sport, but the thing is, the kids need more than just the training. I believed in the fantasy. UK drill music is heavily related to road rap, a British style of gangsta rap that became popular before drill.
Artists often rap about their violent and criminal lifestyle. Most drill music uses violent language and slang to deliver a message. A trained mental health professional can help parents evaluate and treat mental health problems that may have contributed to gang involvement. Your support will help us continue to produce and distribute Facts for Families , as well as other vital mental health information, free of charge.
You may also mail in your contribution. Box , Washington, DC The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry AACAP represents over 9, child and adolescent psychiatrists who are physicians with at least five years of additional training beyond medical school in general adult and child and adolescent psychiatry.
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