Understanding the Real Problem: Hispanic Youth Gang Integration

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The reason why adolescent youth join gang organizations is a question that has plagues policymakers of most states around the world. The issue has grown into a severe crisis in the United States, most notably among minority communities. Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the United States as well as the minority group with the second most gang members and second most incarcerated group, falling behind only African-Americans. In this paper, I analyze why adolescent Hispanic youths are so at risk for becoming involved in a gang. In the first two sections, I individually assess lack of acculturation and ethnic marginalization, and how they place a role in the decision of integration. These are the main points of concern that lead many young individuals to become associated and integrated into these gangs. In the third section, I provide statistical analysis that correlates cases of lack of acculturation and ethnic marginalization and how they become the driving reason behind joining a gang. I also emphasize how gangs are seen as the primary outlet of support for these individuals and why other groups play no part in their psychological relief. The Reason to Join a Gang: Acculturation Matters Acculturation matters in the sense that it can affect any set of youths that consider themselves Hispanic, whether they are immigrants or even American-born Hispanics. Both groups suffer from relatively the same set of issues and both are consistent in trying to seek relief from these sets of issues. Lack of acculturation results from a list of factors, such as inability to learn or understand the native language, failure to adapt to the surrounding environment, lack of a set of supportive and interpersonal network, and persistent is... ... middle of paper ... ..., October, 1967 through 2011 6. Geilhufe, N. L. (1979) Chicanos and the Police: A Study of the Politics of Ethnicity in San Jose, California. Washington: Society for Applied Anthropology. Print. 112. 7. Suarez-Orozco, C. & Suarez-Orozco, M. (1995) “Latino Identities”. Ethnic Identity: Creation, Conflict & Accommodation. eds. Lola Romanucci-Ross and George A. De Vos. Walnut Creek: Altamira Press, 328. 8. Vigil, J. D. (1988). “Group Processes and Street Identity: Adolescent Chicano Gang Members”. Ethos, 16(4), 426. 9. Decker, S. H., and Curry, G. D. (2000) "Addressing Key Features of Gang Membership: Measuring the Involvement of Young Members." Journal of Criminal Justice 28.6 (200): 476. 10. Miller, H. V., Barnes, J. C., & Hartley, R. D. (2011). “Reconsidering Hispanic Gang Membership and Acculturation in a Multivariate Context”. Crime & Delinquency, 57(3), 331-355.

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