Term Paper on "Why Young Teenage Boys Join Gangs in Junior High School"

Term Paper 15 pages (4747 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Gang involvement among teenagers is a well-researched topic of interest. Themes such as age of participation, reasons for gang involvement, demographics for gang relations, initiation rights, and family relations among gang members have all been studied and examined in current literature. This section will present an overall view of that literature, and will discuss those studies and their findings.

First, it is important to examine the scope of the gang problem. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's 2001 report "The Growth of Youth Gang

Problems in the United States: 1970-98," there was an eleven fold increase in the number of counties in the U.S. reporting gang problems within the study period. By the late 1990's, there were 3,700 identified locations within the United States that reported the problems of gang activity. While in the 1970's, only 19 states reported gang issues, this number had increased to 50 states by the late 90's. Approximately 60% of all major cities in the U.S. report serious issues with gangs. States reporting the highest number of gang issue included Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, and Illinois (OJJDP, 2001). By the year 2000, it was estimated that 24,500 gangs were active in the United States (OJJDP, 2002).

It is also important to recognize the demographics of gangs within the United States today. The National Youth Gang Survey of 2000 (OJJDP) reported that approximately 94% of gang members were male, and six percent were female. This was an increase of two percent since 1998. Additionally, the 2000 survey reported a lowering of the average age of gang members, with over 39% of gang members being under the age of 18. In 1999, 47% of gang members were reported to be Hispanic, 31% were African-American, 13% were Caucasian, seven percent were Asian, and two percent were listed as "other" (OJJDP, 2002).

Current research on gangs also lends some insight as to the reasons young men and women join these groups. According to Ruth (1996), one of the main reasons for youth to join gangs is the protection and structure offered by the group in lower income areas. In more traditional slum areas, trends show a consistent lack of adult support for youths. In these areas, youths find themselves lacking any sort of structure, and begin to seek out a group that gives them direction. In these lower income areas, "sets" tend to be established, which are localized pieces of a larger gang (Ruth, 1996).

Other studies have shown a relationship between a lack of male adult support and gang membership among young men. Bowker and Klein (1993) reported that male activities in gangs involved sexual conquests, fighting, substance abuse, and minor and major violent acts. These masculine ideas and concepts, typical for young men, are praised by other gang members. During the maturation process of males, there is a strong need for bonding and encouragement from the same sex. In lower income areas, male role models are often absent, so are not available to provide this needed bond. Thus, teenage boys turn to gangs for encouragement (Bowker and Klein, 1993).

Still further research has shown that school systems in lower income areas are also prime areas for teenage males to join gangs. Battin, Abbott, Catalano, and Hawkins (1998) found a strong relationship between school activities and gang involvement. According to these researchers, the school system is where youths being to identify their personal values and identities. These identities are at least marginally defined through peer associations. Battin and colleagues found that associations with delinquent peers are a gateway to gang involvement, and that the closer the association, the greater the risk of gang involvement (Battin, et al., 1998).

Part of the reason for this increase in involvement based on peer relations, according to Aumair (1995) is that gang members tend to seek out those youths already showing signs of delinquency. For existing gang members, recruiting a youth who already has the skills needed to be in a gang, such as fighting skills and intimidation, is far easier and more desirable than recruiting individuals with no criminal history (Aumair, 1995).

Arthur and Erickson (1992) found similar results when they identified four factors that are associated with gang involvement in schools. When youths experience a sense of isolation, they tend to seek others that can relate to them. Additionally, gang members tend to target these youths for membership. The isolated youths feel a need to gain control over their areas, especially in high population school systems, where there is more competition and less likelihood to stand out in sports or other school sponsored activities. In lower income areas, the lack of social structure within the school systems lends to the alienation of youths, and increases even further the likelihood of gang involvement (Arthur and Erickson, 1992).

Sahagan (1991) found a correlation between gang involvement and self -esteem. According to Sahagan's research, youths join gangs due to isolation, and a need to belong. Often, these feelings are tied with self-worth, and school systems that do not promote self-esteem among students have higher gang rates than those who do (Sahagan, 1991). The study notes that the need to belong is a basic human trait, and that, in larger school systems, belonging to a group which promotes self-esteem is much more difficult that in small schools, simply due to the higher competition (Sahagan, 1991). Lopez (1992) found similar results in 1992, when his team found that children form gangs due to the need for recognition, tradition, a sense of belonging and peer pressure. The study notes that all four issues are directly related to self-esteem (Lopez, 1992).

In addition, later research on the link between self-esteem and violence suggests that not only is low self-esteem an issue with gang involvement, but high self-esteem can also lead to gang participation, particularly in low-income areas. Baumeister (2001) found that those youths with overly high self-esteem are also likely to join gangs. Gangs are often associated with aggression, conflict, and judgment, and in male youths with inflated self-esteem, these traits are desirable. However, in low-income areas, there may be no socially acceptable way to exhibit these behaviors. Thus, the youths join gangs (Baumeister, 2001).

Research has also shown that involvement in gangs tends to be influenced by family members in gangs. Fleischer (1998) found that gang involvement tends to be part of the traditions in lower income areas, with as many as three generations involved. In a 2001 study of the gang problem in Texas, researchers found that most agencies reported "copy relatives," meaning that children in their areas joined gangs to copy their relatives, most often as the reasons for gang involvement in their areas (Texas Office of the Attorney General, 2001).

Still another reason for gang involvement has been shown to be that of economic advancement, particularly in low-income areas. A landmark survey of over 1000 gang members by the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC) in 1995 found numerous indications that economic factors were involved in the decision to join gangs. When asked why they joined the gang, approximately one-fourth of the respondents answered "to make money," topped only by those responding, "they just grew up in it" (38%). A later survey question asking again for the respondents to note one single reason they joined the gang showed 38% responding, "I wanted money and power" (NGCRC, 1995).

This study also examined the cross-influence of family socio-economic status and a desire to make money through gang activities. The researchers found that of the 1000 subjects, over 30% noted that their father did not have a regular job. One hundred of the subjects did not know who their father was. Additionally, a fourth of the subjects reported their mother did not have a regular job. Forty of the respondents reported their mother as deceased (NGCRC, 1995).

In the same study, respondents were asked if they themselves had ever held a part time position. Approximately 31% of the subject group had not. When combined and examined in relation with the above responses, the researchers found that those members whose parents held regular jobs had a higher belief in education, nice homes, and support of the family. Additionally, the researchers point out that, since many gangs reside in low income areas, this higher belief leads to anger and resentment, since the members value those qualities, but are unable to achieve them (NGCRC, 1995). This anger and want for money leads some into the gang lifestyle.

The study also reported respondents mentioned many ways in which the gang supplies them with available monetary funding. In general, each participating member in any money making venture was given a portion of the funds. Money making opportunities included drug trafficking, prostitution, robbery, and security for members. In some more organized gangs, money opportunities included legitimate activities, including politics, member dues, and charity fundraising (NGCRC, 1995).

This study also cross-referenced gang answers to questions about socio-economic status, and found a remarkable correlation. When asked about the economic status… READ MORE

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