Gangs are a growing presence in many schools and neighborhoods. In 1989 police estimated that in Los Angeles County, USA, alone, there were 600 gangs, with some 70,000 members. Gangs are not limited to the United States, however. For example, Maclean's magazine reported that in the city of Vancouver Canada, some 13+ gangs exist, with over 600+ members.
Many join gangs to gain protection from school violence, and in these violent times, it is difficult to understand why some youths may feel such a need. However, there are yet other reasons why street gangs hold such a powerful attraction for some youths.
Support And Friendship
"I really wanted to have friends, a sense of belonging to somebody or to a group, somebody you could care for, " explains Bernard, a former gang member. Marianne, who joined a girl's gang, admits that she did so out of her need to control something, as well as for the family atmosphere it offered.
While it is true that some youths join gangs to help deal with boredom or for the excitement they might offer, it appears that far more join to have a sense of belonging, to receive emotional support, to get friends with whom they share things in common. Often, this is done to replace an undesirable family situation.
Bernard says of himself and fellow gang members: "most of us came from broken homes. Many were being raised by a single parent, usually mother, in large families. So there was no one to take time to talk to them. Many came from homes where they were physically and verbally abused and where no one cared whether they had feelings or not. So they felt good as I did, about being able to talk to someone and be heard."
This point is also made by Canadian youth counselor Lew Golding. He stated: "kids having problems at home latch on to a gang for emotional nurturing."
In the United States, many gangs are formed along ethnic or cultural lines. Gangs in that land, therefore, offer the additional appeal of association with those who share feelings regarding food, music, language, and a host of other things. For youths and adults alike, the desire to feel needed and accepted is normal. But can these feelings and needs truly be satisfied by joining a gang?
Do gang members really experience such loyalty and true friendship? On the contrary, disagreements and even fights among fellow gang members are all too common. Indeed, in the high pressure environment, in which gangs operates, grudges easily develop. Differences in opinion can be interpreted as disloyalty.
"if we had an argument, I had to on the alert because all of a sudden, a knife or a gun could come out. And these were supposed to be my friends! Gang life left me disappointed because I had no real friends. "
"if we had an argument, I had to on the alert because all of a sudden, a knife or a gun could come out. And these were supposed to be my friends! Gang life left me disappointed because I had no real friends. "
It is not over. You can still find friends in your neighborhood. Just keep on searching like how we search for love. If you are a youth, let me know in the comments section if you had plans on joining a gang and the steps you will take now.
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