Are gangs really a problem in our society? Should we be worried about their presence in our communities? Do we need to take immediate actions in this threat? Gangs have many gangs and what we can do to end gangs.
Topic sentence There are many negative effects related to gangs. Gang violence causes fear and changes how kids behave in school. In a poll of 2,000 teenagers, “the respondents reported that their fears
Own Words of violence often affect how they behave and perform in school” (“Teens’ Fears”, 1). This demonstrates that fear of gang violence affects their learning. “About 13% said that they had performed poorly in school because of their concerns about crime and violence” (“Teens’ Fears”,
1).This research proves that many teens fear gangs. Quote
Topic sentence Involvement in gangs leads to innocent deaths from shootings. “Many victims of gang-
Own Words related violence are innocent bystanders” (“Everything You Need to Know about Street Gangs”,
19). This illustrates that innocent people are affected by gang violence. The presents of gangs in an area leads to felony convictions and leads to an increase of crime and drug runs. “As a member, Shelia was used for drug runs” (“All You Need to Know about Street Gangs”, 46). This quote means that members of a gang are manipulated and encouraged or forced to commit crimes.
Poor parenting can play an important part in why kids join gangs. “Children need to feel loved and accepted by their parents. When parents do not respect their children and physically abuse or ignore them, the children may look for love and respect and attention elsewhere. One place they can turn to for the respect they do not get at home is a gang” (“All You Need to Know about Street Gangs”, 36). This shows that they join gangs for the love, attention and respect that their parents may not give them. “Youths from more affluent areas feel dislocated from society
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and are turning to gangs. Many are thrill seekers from unstable homes” (“What is A Gang”, 1).
This demonstrates that some kids feel like they do not belong in society and go out to find a place to belong.
Peer pressure is a common problem. Students or other youth may persuade or trick their friends or peers into joining a gang. “If I don’t do what they’re doing, my friends won’t like me”
(“All You Need to Know about Street Gangs”, 38). This illustrates that some kids join gangs to feel accepted by their friends and peers
Some kids in society are not respected by others in their age group and join gangs for the respect of their classmates or peers. “I thought I would get respect if I joined” (“All You Need to
Know about Street Gangs”, 46). This demonstrates and shows that some kids join gangs to feel respected by other people in their age group. “More than half of teens from high-crime areas said that entering a gang was ‘like having a family that will always be there’” (“Teens’ Fears”, 1).
This quote means that some kids join gangs for the feeling of having a family that will always be with them.
After school programs can be used to keep kids away from the influence of drugs and gangs. “Thirty-one percent of parents in the Newsweek poll said that the best way to protect children would be more after school programs” (“Teens’ Fears”, 1). This demonstrates that kids will have more time to be busy and away from the influence of gangs. “Eight percent said that better drug and alcohol treatment programs would be the best measure for protecting youth in their communities” (“Teens’ Fears”, 1). This illustrates that the programs will educate and aware kids of the dangers of gangs and drug use.
Boosting the self-esteem of a student can give him confidence and a better chance of staying away from the influence of gangs. “Those who support tracking often claim that tracking
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can improve low-achieving students’ self-esteem, by placing them in classes where they are surrounded by students with similar abilities” (“Tracking and Self-Esteem”, 1). This research proves that students won’t feel left out or challenged by the knowledge they may not know. “On the other hand, supporters of tracking say, placing low-achieving students in classes with peers of similar academic abilities creates a comfortable environment in which students can grow and gain self-confidence” (“Tracking and Self-Esteem”, 1). This shows that students will feel comfortable and will be comfortable enough to gain confidence. “After-school recreation programs and programs that seek to discourage gangs and drug- and tobacco use all have components designed to bolster students’ self-esteem” (“Tracking and Self-Esteem”, 1). This author asserts that some after-school programs will help boost students’ self-esteem and will help steer them away from drug use.
School uniforms can be used to get rid of the influence gangs have on the youth by making students feel the same as all the other students. It makes children less jealous of their peers and their fashionable clothes. It may also reduce the violence in and around schools with gang activity. “The wearing of certain items of fashionable clothing, such as expensive sneakers or leather jackets, can also lead to violence in and around schools” (“School Uniforms”, 1). This illustrates that school uniforms may lead to a decrease of gang violence in and around most schools. “They say that students will act more responsibly if they know that they are seen as school representatives” (“School Uniforms”, 2). This demonstrates that some kids will act more responsibly and may stay out of gangs.
Gangs are a problem in our society and we should not fear them unless their presence gets uncontrollable. If it gets uncontrollable, we need to take immediate action to stop the gangs in our communities and maybe protect our future generations from the influence of gangs.
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Research shows gangs have many negative effects on our society. We need to spend more resources to figure out why kids join gangs and take any necessary steps we can to end gangs.
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