Introduction
Violence is a state of disorderliness, which involves more than two parties. This is normally caused by disagreement of specific issues thus leading to the conflicts. A gang forms where a certain group of people comes up together with common interests; in most cases, the interests may lead to adverse conditions. Such interests may lead to the formation of gangs. Being involved in a certain age especially adolescence or young adulthood leads to the formation of gangs. Young adults, especially where youths are involved join as a form of earning them respect since different gangs portray different images. Achievement of a sense of belonging has been another major factor (Goldstein, 2002). This is where certain people mostly affected by inferiority complex feel safer around gangs. This is due to alienation from family and stress. It has been of notable concern that seeking of protection has also contributed to the growth of gangs whereby individuals who feel weaker hang around such groups so that they may be defended. However, money has been a major crisis in situations whereby the members raise finances normally from large enterprises.
Maintenance of gangs
Gangs have notably been maintained in the society despite the fact that measures to curb them have been enforced day in day out. There have been a number of factors leading to this, which include; Gangs being a source of income thus sustaining the peers involved. Additionally, loyalty has contributed majorly (Goldstein, 2002). For instance, members of certain gangs take oaths, which restrain them from leaving the group. Additionally, habitual recruitment of gang members is a common feature of many gangs through peer pressure, coercion and manipulation of prospective group members.
Barriers of leaving gangs
Various issues have led people who had previously been lured into gangs to stick to the bunch of criminals such as; mistrust and tension, which undermine togetherness in the society. Lack of total preparedness of institutions such as schools, health centers and the prison service makes it difficult to get rid of such groups. Moreover, challenges from rival gangs whereby they do not acknowledge any form of resistance from their nemesis (Sanders, 76). This takes place in a form of violence.
Proposed solution to the gang problem
It is paramount that interference in gang affairs and for their effective infiltration and neutralization, suspicion is not aroused. An abrupt introduction of suggested activities, or attempted recruitment into radical programs aimed at reforming gang members may raise resistance. It is common for organized groups indulging illicit behavior to possess a group rebellious attitude (Powell, 2010). Their non-conformance is one of the main attributes that facilitate their success villainy. In order to preserve this feel of group mentality for a common objective, a study of their activities is conducted. For instance, a hobby enjoyed by the gang members, say, playing pool at the local bar, may be utilized to gain access to them and reform them for the better. Introduction of competitive pool amongst the gang members, and against other players, for instance, might help foster a feel of unity in purpose other than their villainous activities. The success of such a primary effort leads to the growth of offshoots of other engagement for the target gang group such as communal cleaning for pay by the city to supplement their income.
The final stage of gang groups’ rehabilitation might be the setting up of investment groups, which engages the groups in actual economic activity, subsequently eliminating them from the streets.
Works Cited
Goldstein, Arnold P. The Psychology of Group Aggression. Chichester, West Sussex: J. Wiley, 2002. Print.
Powell, Betsy. Bad Seeds: The True Story of Toronto's Galloway Boys Street Gang. Mississauga, Ont: John Wiley & Sons Canada, 2010. Print.
Sanders, William B. Gangbangs and Drive-Bys: Grounded Culture and Juvenile Gang Violence. New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 1994. Print.
