Gang Violence

Gangs are made up of a big “family”, which includes men, woman, and children. Children as young as seven or nine years old have been recruited in the gang. Gang member join gangs for many reasons such as protection. They live in the gang area and are in danger to violence by rival gangs so they feel they need to be protected. Another reason they join gangs is for the brotherhood. When they have lack of communication or a bad home environment they look towards the gang because it shows them love and protection like if they were family. They also join for the profit, recognition, and for the dangerous activities. Before gang members join a gang they either commit a crime or going through a procedure such as getting jumped by a group of other gang members. This procedure well test their courage and fighting abilities.

A gang has a leader which is the strongest and most active member. Gangs claim a specific part of the neighborhood or territory and get recognized by the gang name, graffiti, or crimes against the rivals such as robberies, assaults, and narcotics sales. Gangs adopt names that are relevant to there neighborhoods such as street names, valleys, and occasionally regional names. As for the gang members they receive their nicknames when they are recruited. If the member doesn’t already have one then the gang tends to create a name that fit’s the members characteristics or appearance.

Violence is a big part of the gang activity. Back in the day there choice of weapons was chains, knives, and a homemade zip gun. Victims of gang violence were rival gang members or citizens that are related to gang activity. Today they use shotguns, automatic rifles, handguns and explosives. They are also killing innocent byst...

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... do not disrupt class or activities , also stay in school and keep up their grades.

Unfortunately parents are unaware of their children joining in gangs and their dangerous activities and are unable to interfere because its too late. There are noticeable changes in the child’s behavior or activities such as having low grades in school, truancy, different group of friends, bad family bonding, and late hours. The telltale signs of a gang can be lots of swearing or cursing or showing gang names, slogans, insignia, and activities. Also, there can be carrying hidden weapons.

These are many things that make a gang and keep them together. Gangs make the world a different place with the violence and drugs. Young children are easily influenced by these gangs and its important for parents to recognize these types of activities to keep their child safe.