The media frequently casts gangs in a negative light. Not only has the word gang been used rather excessively, more than it should have been, but the media has projected it in such a way that makes it seem that gangs have a direct link with ammunition, drugs, violence, and other evils of a rebellious young generation. In fact, gangs are being accused of stemming as a result of disintegration of teenage society. Members of gangs are being touted as people who are poorly educated, come from dysfunctional families, and are disrespectful of the older generations. A perception like this is unfortunate because the boundaries that are created by gangs can prove to be positive, boundaries that have become crucial for the society of today.
No doubt, the older generations will continue to complain about how things were not like this when they were young. Such views are nothing fallacious, misplaced and vague. The good old days the older generation keeps recalling are long gone, but they refuse to accept this fact because their minds remain clouded by their fantasies. Throughout history, rebellious youth has existed in many different societies. Similarly, even though the media often portrays the widespread of crimes committed by youngsters as a pandemic, crimes such as these are nothing new. The extent of the consequences ultimately depends on how society deals with such crimes. Just as there are many factors behind the widespread of these crimes by youngsters, similarly the origins of gangs cannot just be traced back to a spoiled young generation, even though the media continues to report it this way.
It is not the gangs that are to be accused and condemned, rather it the biased and opinionated media that is to be accused of putting down gangs for what they are and what people should be seeing them as. The media is doing nothing but spreading the fear that gangs might end up gaining unfair command and control over modern society. Documentaries, the news, and even television shows continue to stir up the negativity associated with gangs by constantly attempting to form a link between gang culture and the disintegration of the young generation in today’s society. It is because of the media that gang culture is now extensively considered the same as violence committed a youngster.
The truth that the media and many others refuse to accept is that gangs are not a problem. A gang is all about being a part of a brotherhood or a group of likeminded individuals. Joining gangs is the same as joining any other group that is socially accepted and making new friends, which is vital for any youngster who is growing up. Senior members of a gang can serve as a role model for younger members of a gang and influence in the youngsters in a good way. In fact, the senior members of a gang can set certain boundaries, as mentioned earlier, which could prevent young members of a gang from going astray and ending up committing some criminal act.
No doubt, boundaries have become necessary for the young generation of today, and the concept of boundaries tends to be very strong within gangs, not only within their own ranks but also beyond the gang, as well. Gangs also believe in expanding their boundaries until their backs are against the wall, which is where they have the power to decide whether they can break it down or whether it would be right to break it down. A lesson like this is something that every youngster needs to learn because this is the only way they will be able to become good, righteous citizens. As long as senior role models are present in a gang, they will always have the power to set up boundaries for the young members of the gang so they may not engage in behavior that is not socially acceptable. Contrary to how the media keeps portraying gangs, even gangs have a moral compass.
In conclusion, the bottom line is that gangs are not different from a band of people, an ethnic group or any group for that matter, or a particular nation. Considering the above claims and their plausibility, it should apparent that modern society needs gangs and that gangs are not as bad as the media makes them appear to be. A society where the citizens form their own groups so they may follow their own codes, which govern how they act and behave without breaking any societal norms and are administered and implemented by senior members of the group, is considered a properly functional society. Gangs are no different.
