Juvenile delinquency is a very broad subject matter, that can involve a mixture of distinct behaviors and delinquency trends among adolescent youth. More precisely, I would like to expand more on the topic of youth that become involved in gangs and address the causes that leads them to this decision, including factors and theories that define this issue. Before we further any discussion on any topics that are relevant to the matter, we must first fully understand what constitutes a gang. A youth gang has the federal definition of: an association of three or more individuals; whose purpose in part is to engage in criminal activity or acts of juvenile delinquency and which uses violence or intimidation to further its criminal objectives. There
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Some neighborhoods provide opportunities for learning and engaging in delinquent behavior. The presence of gangs and illegal drug activity, not only provide high levels of exposure to violence and criminal activity, but that everyday exposure may lead to being glorified and more acceptable for youth living in that environment. Social structure is one of the main causes of crime found in our country’s socioeconomic make-up.
Social disorganization theory is the breakdown of informal social control to function effectively. Reasons for disorganization range from residential instability, unemployment/low income levels, varied races/ethnicity/language/culture, and hopelessness.
Strain theory suggests that those in disorganized, urban areas are strained due to frustration and the lack of opportunities in attaining goals.. These desires have a broad range from belonging, identity, protection, and money. Unfortunately, youth tend to believe that joining a gang will help benefit them in those …show more content…
Although many children are being or have been home schooled, the majority have attended some sort of public education. Over the years, schools have become a been the main focus for general delinquency prevention programs. The phoenix police department introduced this school-based program in 1991 to provide students with the tools and resources to resist the trap of gangs. Modeled after the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, the G.R.E.A.T. program introduces students to reduce gang activity and to educate them to the consequences of gang involvement. This is just one of many programs and successful attempts to primary
Some neighborhoods provide opportunities for learning and engaging in delinquent behavior. The presence of gangs and illegal drug activity, not only provide high levels of exposure to violence and criminal activity, but that everyday exposure may lead to being glorified and more acceptable for youth living in that environment. Social structure is one of the main causes of crime found in our country’s socioeconomic make-up.
Social disorganization theory is the breakdown of informal social control to function effectively. Reasons for disorganization range from residential instability, unemployment/low income levels, varied races/ethnicity/language/culture, and hopelessness.
Strain theory suggests that those in disorganized, urban areas are strained due to frustration and the lack of opportunities in attaining goals.. These desires have a broad range from belonging, identity, protection, and money. Unfortunately, youth tend to believe that joining a gang will help benefit them in those …show more content…
Although many children are being or have been home schooled, the majority have attended some sort of public education. Over the years, schools have become a been the main focus for general delinquency prevention programs. The phoenix police department introduced this school-based program in 1991 to provide students with the tools and resources to resist the trap of gangs. Modeled after the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, the G.R.E.A.T. program introduces students to reduce gang activity and to educate them to the consequences of gang involvement. This is just one of many programs and successful attempts to primary