Gang culture: What’s the big deal?

Question

Discuss any of the following questions. I’m interested in what everyone else thinks!

1)Why would an adolescent individual, male or female, whose early home life has failed to nurture emotional and mental needs, seek identity with a group of young people who participate in criminal activities?
2)How does an adolescent individual feel like they belong in a gang, when they have been arrested because of violet crime participation, and their friends have left them?
3)What is the “glamour” of having an ASBO, a life of crime, a criminal record? Why are they strived for within groups, used as a points-scoring tool against friends and enemies? Why are they sought after for validation, success and belonging in a group?
4)“Its human nature to associate in groups. If young people feel they’re being labeled as gang members because they do so, then they are more likely to behave according to those expectations.” WHY?
5)Not all young people in gangs participate in criminal activity. There might be one or two within a group however, that start doing phone robberies and deal weed. Why do they want become feared in their neighborhoods and ruin their health?
6)When in a gang, what is the attraction of having as many accessories as possible, or the most expensive stuff? Accessories such as necklaces/chains, earrings, rings, bracelets, mobiles, MP3s, trainers, sportswear… etc?

Answer 1

Question 1 - A child that has been raised in a family whereby there is a lack of nurturing, love or attention usually becomes involved in criminal activity in order to secure a formal identity. When we are children we are given certain roles within the family unit. This helps us to sustain a sense of status and importance. Children that are born into dysfunctional families are often not given these roles as family dysfunction such as, arguing, alcoholism, drug abuse, physical, emotional and sexual abuse and marital breakdown take priority over the welfare of the child/children. If there is more than one child involved, emotionally they tend to bond together on an equal level and therefore again lose the opportunity to be the care giver, teacher or leader. In theory they support one another,and rather than grow up with an individual identity, they grow up as one. In cases of domestic violence the chid also takes on the role of parent and in an attempt to either protect the Mother or keep the family together, they grow up not really ever knowing who they are or what they are supposed to represent within the family unit. This consequently results in low self esteem, lack of self confidence and importance and feelings of worthlessness. By joining a group that participates in criminal activity they are able to form an identity within that group. The group gives them status, a feeling of importance, self confidence and self esteem. Criminal groups also have their own hierarchy, but unlike being at home they are able to get from the bottom of the chain to the top, through committing more dangerous crime on a more frequent basis, and of course the higher they get the more respect they receive from other members within the group. These groups also portay an image to the rest of society which dictates that we should be scared of them and that we should not mess with them. Hence the universal clothing and jewellery. This again gives them status and a feeling of power over others, something that did not occur in their early lives. I guess you could say that they are taking back what they believe society owes them. Unfortunately they carry this out in such a way that is not only detrimental to them but also to the rest of society

Answer 2

hi i believe its very important the way we bring up our babies if a child has been brought up in an abusive or just a disinterested house hold the child will seek out individuals that will assimilate a family to them. That's our nature we are social beings .If the gang that the child has associated himself with perpetrates countless crimes etc the child will stick like glue no matter what because that's his family and all because his parent wouldn't stand up and take responsibility for what they had created .How can a bitter or twisted adult ever create a well rounded personality when they have no concept of it . its very important how we come into this world and how we are nurtured in childhood and tupac said it best when he said the hate u give little infants ***** everyone he was a very wise man. peace ju

Answer 3

1. Because of their horrible life, they feel secure, protected, and cool in a gang. A gang is like a family.

2. Maybe they want to fit it. Or what i said for #1.

3. Theres no *glamour* in having a criminal record. I dont think a gang member has ever even used the word *glamour* in a sentence. Gang members have criminal records for blasting mother****ers that piss them off.

4. Drug selling - they probably do it for money. Just like any other celeb that makes sex tapes. Kill - because their angry people. lol

5. Well, they feel tough if ppl are afraid of them. Like i said, they come from ****ed up lives & if ppl are afraid of them, they know nothing bads gonna happen to them. As for ruining their health.. many people around the world smoke & do weed so dont just point out gang members. The sh*ts addictive.

6. They feel hella cool. Just like any other kid that goes to school trying to be cool & tryna fit in.

Answer 4

its all down to lack of respect due to lack of discipline at home in the early years, and boredom.