Youth Violence in the United States

Youth Violence in the United States

Youth violence is a global issue that has led to a rise in insecurity in most communities. The issue has raised concerns in the United States because of increased drug-related gangs. The United States has been taking various measures to decrease the increase in youth violence and gangs by creating intervention programs in the community and learning institutions. However, there is a considerable challenge in reducing and preventing the development of street gangs, thus making street gangs a major social phenomenon and problem in the country, mainly because it evolves as criminal behavior among the youth evolves. Therefore, it is vital to understand the root causes of youth violence and gangs to determine the most appropriate measures to address this issue. It is also essential to understand why young people join gangs to create effective preventive interventions.

Why Young People Join Gangs

The environment in which a young person is brought up plays a significant role in shaping their interest in joining gangs. According to Taylor (2013), gangs provide a form of release from bad feelings and frustrations and give people a platform to express themselves. Therefore, young people may join gangs to escape from the problems at home, such as domestic violence, and acquire a status that will enable them to get respect from their peers. Hesketh (2022) argues that being a gang member is considered a channel offering young people a social status in society, role models, and acceptance in the form of acquiring a position in the gang, including senior positions that are influenced by a person’s commitment to the gang. Some young people also have the perception that being a member of a gang will make them more attractive to the opposite sex and their peers, thus dedicating their time and energy to serve the gang so that they can acquire a senior position.

Young people also join gangs because of alcohol and drug use. Alcohol has long been linked to the risk of youth violence because it increases a person’s confidence and aggression (Kraut, 2022). According to Kraut (2022), approximately 80% of the young people in the United States juvenile system committed a crime under the influence of drugs or alcohol or have admitted to having an alcohol and drug use problem. Young people with alcohol and drug use problems are also more likely to be influenced to join gangs through peer pressure. For instance, young people may join a gangs and commit violent crimes to remain relevant in the group. Insufficient parental supervision also increases the likelihood of young people joining gangs and engaging in violent crimes. Limited parental supervision may also make young people feel neglected by their families, thus increasing their possibility of joining gangs to acquire a sense of belonging in society by being part of a group.

Conclusion

Youth violence is a major social issue affecting communities worldwide. The United States is among the countries with a high youth violence rate because street gangs mainly target young people to gain members. The most effective strategy to address the issue is understanding its causes and developing intervention programs to eliminate them. Some causes include peer pressure, drug and alcohol use, insufficient parental supervision, and the need to acquire a specific social status. Therefore, it is important for private and public agencies addressing youth violence and the issue of street gangs to work with parents and guardians.

References

Hesketh, R. (2022, September 13). Why do young people join gangs? Members explain the appeal of risk-taking. The Conversation. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://theconversation.com/why-do-young-people-join-gangs-members-explain-the-appeal-of-risk-taking-120844

Kraut, M. (2022). Juvenile crime and substance abuse. Child Crime Prevention & Safety Center. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://childsafety.losangelescriminallawyer.pro/juvenile-crime-and-substance-abuse.html

Taylor, S. (2013). Why American boys join street gangs. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 5(9), 339–349. https://doi.org/10.5897/

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Overview:
We find ourselves in a frequent discussion lately concerning Youth Violence in our
country and how to improve upon this. Daily tragedies are reported throughout our
country involving school, gang, and domestic violence, all with a similar constant theme
which involves youth under the age of 18.

Youth Violence in the United States

Instructions:
Use the topic of Youth Violence in our country as a platform for this written assignment
topic. You can then choose your own more direct area of concentration to further
discuss in 2-3 pages of content.