Gangs

by Amanda Hiber (Editor)

Overview

More than eighty percent of American cities with a population of 100,000 or more report gang activity. Most of these gangs are made up of members who are eight to twenty-two years old. These statistics point to a larger unfortunate truth, at some point, our youth will have an encounter or an experience with gangs. It is important that they understand this world and how it operates. This collection of essays helps readers navigate the issues. Readers will analyze whether gangs are a growing suburban problem, if gang activity is increasing among girls, the role of immigration and gang activity, and measures that reduce gang involvement. Colorful photographs, charts, graphs, and images reinforce the text and present essential data.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737762945
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	06/05/2013
Series:	Issues That Concern You Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	13 - 16 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

1 Gang Presence in Suburban Areas Is Rising Michael B. Mukasey 9

2 Girl Gangs Are a Growing Problem in Many Parts of the World Dolly 16

3 Gang Members Are Infiltrating the US Military in Increasing Numbers Matthew A. Roberts 22

4 Claims That Gangs Are Infiltrating the US Military Are Overblown Max Fisher 30

5 Decriminalizing Drugs Would Disempower Gangs Jerry Paradis 36

6 Decriminalizing Drugs Would Not Solve the Gang Problem in Central America Ralph Espach 44

7 Stopping Illegal Immigration Would Weaken Hispanic Gangs in the United States James Walsh 50

8 Illegal Immigrants Do Not Commit More Crimes than Native-Born Americans Stuart Anderson 57

9 The Youth PROMISE Act Would Decrease the Numbers of Young People in Gangs Bobby Scott 64

10 School Counselors Play an Important Role in Decreasing Gang Membership Jim Paterson 70

11 City Parks and Recreation Departments Provide Young People with Effective Alternatives to Joining Gangs Boris Weintraub 79

12 Christian Organizations Can Transform Gang Members by Offering Them Second Chances Robert Brenneman 87

13 Government Programs Discourage Youth from Joining Gangs and Reform Current Gang Members Ely Flores 95

Appendix

What You Should Know About Gangs 103

What You Should Do About Gangs 107

Organizations to Contact 110

Bibliography 117

Index 120

Picture Credits 126