Gang Affiliation & Delinquency: A Linked Reality - Essay Sample

Introduction

Gang affiliation has been directly linked to the increased rates of delinquency. The membership to gangs creates a mindset in the members that they are comrades, and the mob psychology establishes the possibility of one member dictating the direction of the gang, whether good or bad. Therefore, the membership to gangs has been found to have a link with delinquency, especially when the members are compared to those who do not have gang affiliation.

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The association comes from the association that comes with membership to gangs and other illegal groupings, since one delinquent member can influence the others into becoming like them, and the cycle may continue to a point whereby a whole community is affected by instances of crime and other forms of delinquent behaviour. Since most gangs are formed with the idea of shared interests being the factor bringing the people together, it is common for the effects of peer pressure to be used in spreading the delinquent behaviour from one member to the next.

However, the membership to gangs and other delinquent groups have significant differences, most of which come from the modus operandi of the groups. Gangs are qualitatively different, with the unions being mainly for the aim of achieving economic gain and other benefits that ultimately lead to financial gains. Gangs have structured memberships with leadership that follows rank and a code of conduct to be strictly followed by the members. However, delinquent associations are associations by young people whereby the main aim is to commit minor criminal acts which act as a way of making statements of rebellion. Delinquency is therefore not meant for achieving any significant economic gains, but rather for fun and the mischievous acts are intended to make statements on the issues against which the youth are standing against.

There are, however, common reasons for the formation and joining gangs and engaging in delinquent behaviour. First, poor school attendance has been linked to the existence of delinquency and membership in criminal gangs. When young people are not involved in school, they end up spending the free time that they have in criminal acts.

Furthermore, violence and poverty in their homes will lead them to look for places where they can feel safe and look for ways to express their anger while also engaging in delinquent behaviours, which will help them to get the financial freedom that they look for when engaging in crime. Moreover, the need for a feeling of belonging leads the youth to join criminal gangs and engaging in delinquent acts. Youth is a time when young people need to feel like a part of something bigger than themselves. Therefore they are willing to undertake any actions, even delinquent ones, to be accepted within the circles of the gangs.

Additionally, the need for approval from one's peers also causes the young people to engage in delinquent acts within criminal gangs to be recognized for their aggressive actions, and this only helps to intensify their delinquency to the point of engaging in even more severe criminal acts. The use of alcohol and drug abuse is another reason for the increased gang membership and delinquency experienced in society, especially since when one is under the influence of drugs, their cognitive functions are disabled, and they become capable of committing any acts. The increased use of drugs is attributed to the peer pressure experienced within gangs.