Gang Culture Research Paper

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Gang Culture and Media role To what Extent is the Media Portraying the Image of Young People through Gang Culture? Youth culture has been a term often used to define young people from different ideologies, stereotypes, and other labels being used in stigmatising them based on their norms; as well as segregating them into different cultural groups or subculture. According to Cieslik and Simpson, (2013) “People would often have different notions of what constitutes young people and many of these understandings will be at variance with the ways young people see themselves”. In this report, the chosen source of information has been from an online news source; from the Mail Online on a news article about young girls being lured by gang culture of drug, sex and violence as the increasing culture within Britain. However, within the key issues identified in the chosen article around youth culture has firstly described gang culture as being inevitable, likewise girls as young as nine, are putting their lives at risks by being caught up in the culture (Government Crime Inspectors, 2010 in Mail Online, 2010). Secondly, young men are described to be in gang association as a form of friendship and family, however for some living in particular localities it is necessary for them to secure and protect themselves from being at risk of shorter lifespan. Thirdly, within the article, young girls in gang culture are perceived as ‘conduit of communication’, as they are treated as trophies by male gang members, as well as being subjected to several sexual exploitation/ sexual attacks. Despite the informative aspect of the news article, there has been an awareness being created around particular issues within the society. Young people have bee... ... middle of paper ... ...tation of challenges as well as undertaking risks in order to understand the world around them as they transition or emerge into adulthood (NASW, 2002). One of the most influential sources that have contributed in construction of youth’s identity has been through media which has led to different stereotypes, biases as well as inaccurate portrayals of youth. However, within the article people has constructed in the notion which could affect adults and young people’s relationships as well as the practice involving youth. However, the negative focus of young people’s images could result in; lack of trust based on normalised and biased beliefs may have towards young people that could lead to inability to recognise individual differences and different subgroups, and the inability to see beyond stereotypes and other uncomplimentary labels associated with young people.

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