Gang Prevention in Schools

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INTRODUCTION
Gang violence in schools has always been evident, however in past decades it was slightly more controllable, as school authorities were able to immediately identify the persons involved and deal with them before any ideas of further gang involvement could be spread. Whereas in present time gang violence within schools has but become a growing pandemic, infecting not only poorly resourced schools but a few private schools as well. Within this essay the growing phenomenon of gang violence will be discussed, with reference to the group dynamic concepts that exist in the field of Sociology.
GANGS AS SOCIAL GROUPS
Social groups can be defined as a “group that consists of two or more persons between which a normatively regulated distinguishable interaction pattern has developed within which certain common goals are met in connection with the individual motives and needs” (Steyn & Uys, 1998:35). Within that quote fundamental characteristics of social groups are mentioned. Gang members interact throughout most of the day since they spend breaks together as well as group together before and after school thus close personal relationships develop between members. Gangs develop due to given contexts, for instances racial or ethnic discrimination can be seen as two of the few causes. Awareness of membership is seen as a significant factor in gangs hence loyalty to the group is essential, if members express any form of disloyalty they are punished. Every gang has its own norms which are on the contrary specific to the gang, and it these norms that ensure that members are kept together in a unified sense.
WHY SCHOOL CHILDREN BECOME MEMBERS OF GANGS
One of the biggest reasons why children join gangs is because gangs offer a sense of...

... middle of paper ...

... own specific cultures. They need to identify what the gang offers its members (whether it is just a sense of belonging, family, attention, identity or all four) and then use that information to their advantage by providing alternative positive activities that will fulfil the needs of the pupils.

Works Cited

1. Densley, JA. August 2012. Street Gang Recruitment: Signaling, Screening, and Selection. Social Problems, 59(3): 301-321.
2. Forsyth, DR. 2010. Group Dynamics. Belmont: Brooks.
3. Friedkin, NE. 2004. Social Cohesion. Annual review of Sociology, 30: 409-425.
4. Spergel, IA. March 1992. Youth Gangs: An Essay Review. Social Service Review, 66(1): 121-140.
5. Steyn, AF and Uys, T.1998. The Small Group: Structure and Dynamic. Pretoria: Consortium.
6. Wing Lo*, T. 2012. Triadization of Youth Gangs in Hong Kong. The British Journal of Criminology, 52: 556-576.

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