The Influence of Gangs in Teenagers

Gangs are a violent reality that people have to deal with in today†s cities. What has made these groups come about? Why do kids feel that being in a gang is both an acceptable and honorable way of life? The long-range answer to these questions can only be speculated, but in the short term the answer is easier to find. We must find ways and means to effectively implement the various strategies to end gang violence. I believe that three important institutions play a vital role in our struggle to fight gang violence. Some believe that gangs are caused by peer pressure. Many teens in gangs will pressure peers into becoming part of a gang by making it all sound glamorous. Other teens will use money as a crucial factor. A kid is shown that they could make a couple of hundred for small part time gang jobs. This includes selling drugs and robbing other people. In other areas like Bronx or the very worst case, Compton, children will be beaten and robbed if they do not join gangs. This is one reason why teens in these areas have to have friends in order for them to survive. Poor parenting also play†s a role why teens turns to gangs. Imagine in poor families with many children or middle-class families where parents are always working, the children will often feel deprived of love and attention. Parents often feel that putting food on the table is enough love. Children of these families may often go to the gang firstly out of boredom and to belong somewhere. As time goes on, a form of love develops between the gang members and the child. It is then that the bond between the kid and the gang is complete because the gang has effectively taken the place of the family. Most parents do not have enough time to talk and listen to their kids. They do not spend any social activities with their children. Even teaching their kids the right values is jeopardizes. Most of the time, parents do not know what their children are doing for two reasons. First, most of the parents† lives is outside the local community, while the children†s lives are lived almost totally within. Second, in a develop community, the passage of relations gives every parent, in a sense, a community of guards who can keep him informed of his child†s activities. In modern living-places, like cities or suburbs, where such a network is abused, he no longer has such sentries. Last but not least is the poor educational system. A lot of students are deprived of basic educations, which includes good skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. If the educational system somehow ensure that each student actually does have access to equal opportunity for a quality education, then perhaps we will find these kids have a better future that holds something more than quitting school, hanging out in the â€Å"hood†, and making money at selling drugs. This is why gangs are more predominant in public school than private school. I am interested in this issue because I want to find out the best way I could prevent my kids from joining gangs. I do not have any experience growing up in this type of environment. I grew up in a place where gang affiliation is unheard of. This is why this is a major concern for me. These are the major factors why most of the teenagers turn to gangs. I believe that proper parenting plays the major role in preventing kids in joining gangs. Everything starts at home; from teaching your kids the right values and helping them develop self-esteem. Parents should teach their kids to value education because this is their key to better future. Parents should serve as a role model to their children. They should do everything possible to involve their children in supervised, positive group activities. Parent need†s to praise their children when they are doing well and encourage them to do their very best, to stretch their skills to the utmost.