Gangs

Gangs. Everyone knows, has heard or has felt the impact they have on society. The drug dealing, the stealing, the dirty money, the guns; everything. To those actually in the gangs however, they see it as family. But why do young men and women feel the need to join such violent groups? To find family in such a violent setting? There are too many different deciding factors on these young men that can specifically state why they are in these groups. Some say it’s due to their family lives at home. Maybe they grew up without a figure to teach them right from wrong or give them the love and affection they need. Others say that it’s a sense of security. Meaning they won’t need to worry about their pains anymore from their family or anything else because they have their gang family to rely on. And some say that it’s simply their means of surviving. If you can’t beat them, join them. So there really isn’t any one answer to the question because they could all be true for different people.

                Family lives at home have a large effect on these young men and women’s decision to join a gang. Most of the boys in these gangs come from low income, poverty stricken homes. Other reasons could be in their family. They come from parents and stepparents who are chronic drug users, alcoholics, abusive (physical, sexual, and emotional), are in and out of jail, or are involved in illegal activities. Having an influence like these could cause either a complete rebellion or a need to find love from a family elsewhere. That’s when they find gangs. Gangs offer these young people a sense of belonging and identity, social support, solidarity, excitement, fun and new experiences, a sense of protection, and possible opportunities for economic gain. For example, one young man from a 1991 study says “I could see that you could count on your boys to help in times of need and that meant a lot to me. And when I needed money, sure enough they gave it to me. Nobody else would have given it to me; my parents didn't have it, and there was no other place to go. The gang was just like they said they would be, and they'll continue to be there when I need them.” So there is a constant need for that acceptance from your family and since these young men and women can’t get it at home, they’ll find it anywhere they can.

Having a sense of security is really all anyone wants, so it’s no wonder young men go into gangs. Gangs have guns to protect the members of the gangs as well as family members of the members. Just like in a family, they’re there to make sure you are safe because they love you. That false sense of security is a reason why most young adults join. A study done back in 2000 had a young female say “The year that I was there it was like, umm, they were like family, because we could all take care of each other. . . .  I think they were like my own family. I think I was more with them than my own family, because I left them for a while,” showing that she felt that the gang full of violence, disobedience and disrespect, was her family more than her blood relatives. So for some the reason of them joining is the automatic gift of security. Once you’re in you don’t need to worry because we have your back.
                For some it’s a need for a family. To have the close connection to that you would with a father figure or an older brother or sister to teach you how you should behave. For others it’s having a sense of security. Showing that no matter what, their gang will always be there to have their backs in a tough spot. But for some it’s just their only way of survival. Living in gang infested slums of a city can cause extreme conflict between you and them. Some of the gang members might rob you or your home, or take one of your friends’ lives from you.  But being a part of their group will give you protection from them as well as the other gangs they deal with.

                In a life of poverty, druggie parents, and slums of streets, it’s no wonder why young adults would decide to join a gang. It’s a sense of family. A group of people you can trust with anything you need help with. It’s a sense of security. Knowing that you will always be protected as long as you do what’s being asked of you. And it’s also an answer to help you survive the living conditions. By joining them, you don’t have to worry about them hurting you. It’s so easy to see why young adults would want to be in gang on the outside, but going deeper into them, it gets even harder to pull yourself out of your own mistake.