Gangs

Understanding Gangs in Modern Society

Gangs have existed in various forms for centuries, but the modern gang phenomenon really emerged in the 20th century in major US cities. Gangs are basically groups of people that have formed an alliance for various purposes – usually for protection, financial gain, or social status.

The Formation and Growth of Gangs

Many experts point to factors like poverty, lack of opportunities, and the desire for belonging as key reasons youth join gangs. When young people feel marginalized from main stream society or lack money and jobs, gangs can provide an alternative support system and source of identity.
Initiation rituals also create a strong bond. Getting “jumped in” by allowing existing members to beat you for a set time is common. This shared experience can create intensely loyal members willing to do anything for their gang “brothers.”
Once in a gang, peer pressure, threats, and the need to save face make it hard to leave. Gang activities escalate through group polarization. When everyone is committing crimes, it starts to feel normal.

Major Gang Activities

Gangs participate in a wide range of criminal activities for profit. Some of the most common include:
Drug dealing – from street-level dealing to international drug trafficking, the illegal drug trade is extremely lucrative. Gangs often fight violently over territory rights.
Extortion – gangs will threaten business owners, residents, and even other criminals with violence unless tribute payments are made.
Prostitution – human trafficking, pimping, and running brothels are significant sources of income for organized gangs. Fear and addiction are used to control the vulnerable.
Theft – home invasions, armed robberies, car theft, identity theft, and receipt of stolen goods provide income streams.
Violent turf wars between rival gangs are also common as each group seeks dominance. Drive-by shootings and tit-for-tat reprisal killings can spiral out of control. Innocent bystanders often get caught in the crossfire.

Prison Gangs

Prisons have become breeding grounds for the most violent domestic gangs. The harsh realities of prison life necessitate banding together with your own kind for survival.
Groups like the Mexican Mafia, Aryan Brotherhood, Black Guerrilla Family, and Texas Syndicate were all formed inside prisons. Their reach extends well beyond prison walls today through intricate networks.
Prison gangs are highly organized and disciplined. Membership requires blood oaths of lifetime loyalty under threat of death. Tattoos help indicate status within the group.
Secrecy, coded languages, and complex communication channels help prison gangs conduct criminal business on the outside and influence street gangs.

Girls and Gangs

While gangs have traditionally been male dominated, female membership is on the rise. Some all girl gangs exist, but most females end up “affiliating” with established male gangs in subordinate roles.
Unfortunately, girls are often treated simply as sexual objects rather than equal members. They can be passed around by multiple gang members and are brutally punished if they break any rules. Getting out is difficult due to fears of retaliation.

The Allure of Gang Culture

It’s easy to dismiss gang members as violent thugs, but the truth is more complex. Most gang youth are seeking money, safety, purpose, and a sense of family – things lacking in their lives. The feeling of power and importance is seductive too.
The media, rap music, movies, and clothing styles all glorify the gang culture. Signs like tattoos, graffiti tags, clothing colors, and hand signs let everyone know you are someone to respect on the street.

Leaving Gangs

Exiting gang life comes with huge risks. Other members may violently discipline those trying to get out or ban them from their neighborhoods entirely. Death threats keep many trapped in the lifestyle.
Anti-gang organizations try helping members leave by providing counseling, job training, relocation services, and even plastic surgery to remove gang tattoos. But fear and lack of options push many back in.

Fighting Gangs

Law enforcement uses heavy penalties and RICO laws to target gangs. Civil lawsuits to seize assets are also common. While these suppress violence, critics argue they fail to address root causes.
Non-profits provide youth outreach, education, and intervention programs as alternatives. But funding struggles make scaling difficult.
Comprehensive solutions require tackling systemic issues like poverty, mental health, addiction, broken families, poor education, and lack of economic mobility. Only by providing vulnerable youth better options can we curb the allure of gang life.
The gang problem has no simple solutions. But through understanding the complex factors involved, we can develop balanced approaches based on both compassion and accountability.