Transnational Gangs
When questioned about Central America’s continued crime problem, particularly centered on gangs and their ability to grow, the issue can often be traced back to poverty. Though Central America has been experiencing an economic boom in recent years, prosperity has yet to reach the poorest of regions, allowed gangs to maintain a strangle hold on impoverished communities, and even prosper. Underemployment and a lack of emphasis on children staying in school are also issues that need to be addressed. The population needs jobs and income. Gangs provide that. Moreover, children are malleable and without anything to sway them from this lifestyle, it is easy to fall into. The area is also seeing a severe decline in moral values, making it easier for gang violence to spread.
Maras are specifically the youth gangs in Central America. They have grown angrier and more aggressive overtime. Today they are comprised of some of the most violent gang members in Central America, terrorizing the entire area. They have only been around since 1989, with the emergence of the Mara Salvaturucha. A few years later, the M-18 emerged, and was full of equally violent youths. Both gangs were a result of refugees fleeing their own violent countries. Many of these families took refuge in the United States, often in Los Angeles, and it became second nature for the children to retreat into gang life in order to survive.
Many returned to their home countries, continuing the circle of terror and violence, because it was all they had ever known. These individuals became natural gangsters because they had been bred into gang life, and sometimes born into it. They took it up as a way to survive, and without any means of support, and little or no education, they were forced to continue it. The generation after them continued in their footsteps, breeding another generation of natural gangsters.
Breve had a few suggestions in order to amputate gang violence, as well as its abilities to succeed in Central America. To begin, Breve suggested their ability to grow be impeded in several ways. Communities should work to reach children through sports and cultural outreach centers, showing them there are other things to do with their lives other than violence. Technical schools which provide quick and efficient education can also stem the gang violence problem by assisting individuals in earning an honest living.
Rehabilitation was also suggested for individuals who are already involved in gang related activity, in an effort to save those who are already suffering. Free resources could be used to help reduce the poverty level, thereby taking the stress off of individuals who feel they must earn a living dishonestly. Moreover, Breve suggested the government not be in charge of the resources for such rehabilitation programs because they are notorious for mismanaging them. Instead it was suggested NGO’s be in charge is resource distribution so that affected individuals receive the appropriate care.
While it is possible for both ideas to work, and I would like to think rehabilitation is possible, it is more likely that the former option would work the best. Reaching children before they lapse into a life of crime is probably the best option because they will already have been shown their potential and begin to build self-esteem. Individuals already involved in criminal activity will have a late start and may relapse. Children who get involved in the community will then have other resources to use that may keep them from making the same mistakes, and the chances will be greater they will remain honest, and not resort to a violent, gang-related life like their predecessors.
