Analysis Of Gang Violence As A Social Problem
A social is any behavior or condition that when done or performed has a negative consequence for a large group of people. Apart from having a negative consequence or impact to be recognized as a social problem, the society has recognize it as a behavior that needs to be addressed. Examples of social problems include: homelessness, bullying, hunger, drug abuse, unemployment, gender discrimination and gang violence amongst many others. In this assignment will talk about gang violence and how the society addresses this issue. Gang violence is a social problem that is brought about by the formation of gangs and member of this gangs by definition participate in violence and other criminal activities that causes problems in the society such as robbery, rape, drug abuse amongst others.
It is not illegal to belong or be a member of a gang but according to my personal view most gangs participate in illegal activities in order to acquire funding of these activities and also to seduce new members into joining the gangs. Unlike the society who see poverty, peer pressure, lacking sense of belonging and boredom as the trigger of this gangs and members joining them I see to choose to see this reasons as excuses to join gangs. I personally more and more people turn into gangs in an attempt to escape their lives, which they perceive them as bleak and they are attracted to the cash flow and prestige that is glamorized by the street gangs. More and more young people turn into gangs for solutions to money problems in their lives this is a social issue that needs to be addressed.
How the society addresses gang violence
The society views gang violence as a real problem that is brought about by forces that play a significant role in shaping a person’s actions, reactions and thoughts in various issues that affect the society such as unemployment. Due to such problematic forces, an individual is forced to join these gangs, participate in criminal activities to earn money to cater for themselves and their families. Moreover being a member of this gangs and participating in this activities in gangs gives an individual a sense of belonging. The engagement of this gangs in nefarious activities brings negative consequences and have adverse effects on the society such as increased death due to drug abuse, robbery, human and drug trafficking and violent control of neighborhoods. However, the society has decided to intervene to gang violence by coming up with programs that prevent the youths from joining gangs, for there is no existence of a permanent solution. Communities have fosters strategies and programs that try to prevent the youth from joining gangs such as: reducing youth’s conflicts, improving community-level supervision of the youth, mentorship programs, providing training for teachers and parents on how to handle delinquent youths, construction for youth recreation and referrals, creating gang awareness and many others. All this activities aim in addressing youth behavior and developing non-violent individuals from the disturbed number of youths in the society.
How the church addresses gang violence
The church also views gang violence as a problem in the society that needs addressing. The church has a unique role in dealing with issues of gang violence because the church is viewed as a Faith-based community that have a vital role in the upbringing of individuals in the society. The church throughout the history is known to foster peace and bringing together individuals to exercise their religious beliefs and faith. Teachings of the church such as humility develops morality in individuals and even changes people to abandon violence and seek better resolutions to face their problems.
Symbolic Interaction theory
Symbolic interaction theory tends to analyze the society by addressing the subjective meaning that individuals impose on behavior and events. It is believed that individuals behave based on at what they believe other than what they perceive to be true. Gang violence and symbolic interaction go hand in hand. Gangs are basically a group of people that interact with one another. Individuals join gangs to feel a certain empty void or fulfill a certain need which is usually not met such as support, family, recognition, respect, identity, money and protections. The age group of most gang members lies between the age of 14 to 20 years which is usually a developing age and individuals from this age group learn a lot from the people they interact with. This interaction creates or brings about personal identity. Therefore if the gang fosters violence the individual in this gang is likely to develop to be a violent and immoral person. On the other hand is a gang fosters peace and humility then the individual will most likely develop into a moral person.
Conclusion
In conclusion gang violence is seen as a social problem in the society the needs to be addressed. The society and the church are coming with various activities and strategies that foster peace, prevent gang violence and even prevent the youth from joining gangs and goes on to develop them into moral useful individuals in the society. The symbolic interaction theory examines ho individuals interact with one another and as they interact a person’s identity is created. Therefore a person’s character is influenced by the people he interacts with.
