The problem of gang activity is not a new one facing our country. Ever since the beginnings of human existence gangs have served as a means of protection for humans. The issue of gang activity has recently, however, come to the forefront of dilemmas facing our nation. While cities like Chicago and Los Angeles are chronic gang sites, other cities such as "Miami, Portland, Columbus, Dallas, and Milwaukee have only recently (within the last decade) had what they termed as a gang problem" (Conly 7). Gang numbers have, without question, skyrocketed over the past 10 to 20 years. Los Angeles, for example, has recently been estimated to have as many as 90,000 gang members (Conly 14). The importance of these numbers cannot be overlooked. However, to fully understand the problems that gangs may pose to society, the term gang must be defined. Without a definition the impact of gang maliciousness on society may be lost.

Throughout its history the term "gang" has possessed a diverse usage, being linked to outlaws in the "wild west" and organized crime groups among others (Decker and Van Winkle 2). Due to this, a

One may ask themself how a youth could actually feel safer in an environment like that. However, the answer is clear. That answer is clearly the safety in numbers factor. Many youths would rather be exposed to the realities of a gang war rather than that of fighting a war all on ones own. In fact, students in schools with a gang presence are "twice as likely to report that they fear becoming victims of violence than their peers at schools without gangs" (Trump 1993).

As a result of a sufficient definition being unearthed, the focus of this paper can next be turned to the reasons for joining a gang. While there are a variety of reasons one may choose to enter into the gang environment, there are three prominent reasons that stand out. These reasons are psychological, financial, and physical.

I was getting my money selling drugs - large amounts - drugs like sherm [PCP laced marijuana], crystal [methamphetamine], weed [marijuana], and the main killer cocaine. We deal through Cubans and Mexicans in big events, then eventually to the Mafia. (Sanders 141)

There are, of course, some that feel these reasons are not the main contributing factors to gang enrollment. The main detractors of this theory will point to the emergence of gangs in affluent areas. These areas contain children who may not come from broken homes and may not have problems with money or being bullied. However, dysfunctional families are present in all areas of society. Moreover, if one or two children are of dysfunctional families, there influence will spread throughout a social setting of other children. Some feel that gangs result simply out of an "inordinately large number of children crowded into a limited area...spontaneous play groups are forming everywhere - gangs in embryo"(Spergel 71). While the overcrowding of youths in a limited area may play a role in the formation of gangs, the main contributing factors to the creation of gang activity are the fulfillment of psychological (family), financial, and physical needs.

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Approximate Word count = 3629
Approximate Pages = 15 (250 words per page double spaced)