Gangs

by Mary E. Williams (Editor)

Overview

Gang activity continues to make headlines on both the local and the international levels. This book explores why people join gangs, what causes gang violence, and what strategies are most effective at reducing gang activity. Essays are selected from highly respected sources to provide readers with more than one intelligent viewpoint per issue discussed. Readers will hear from sources including the Palm Beach Post, Globe and Mail, and Yakima Herald-Republic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737756791
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	05/19/2012
Series:	Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints Series
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 6.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

B01

Table of Contents

Foreword 5

Introduction 7

Chapter 1 How Serious Is the Problem of Gangs? 1

1 Gang Membership Is Increasing Kevin Johnson 12

2 Gang Attacks on the Public Are Rare Adam Foxman 18

3 Growing Numbers of Girls Are Joining Gangs Sarah Standing 24

4 The Problem of Girls in Gangs Has Been Overstated Joan Smith 30

5 Responding to Gangs in the School Setting Michelle Arciaga Wayne Sakamoto Errika Fearbry Jones 36

6 Gangs Are a Growing Problem in the Suburbs Mary Ellen Flannery 43

Chapter 2 What Causes Gang Violence?

1 North America's Demand for Illegal Drugs Fosters Gang Violence Globe Mail 52

2 The War on Drugs Fosters Gang Violence James Murr 57

3 Poverty Fosters Gang Violence Kai Wright 61

4 US Immigration Policy Fosters Gang Violence Matthew Quirk 68

5 Many Youths Are Forced to Join Gangs Kenneth Michaels Mecca Sykes-Santana Laurence Snyder 73

6 A Number of Risk Factors Lead Youths to Join Gangs James C. Howell 80

Chapter 3 How Can Gang Violence Be Reduced?

1 Imprisoning Gang Members Reduces Gang Violence Palm Beach Post 89

2 Imprisonment Is Not the Best Way to Reduce Gang Violence Claudia D'Allegri Nina Martinez Eva Valdivia Alexia Inigues 94

3 Children Should Participate in Antigang Programs Katie S. Wang 99

4 Parents Should Monitor Their Children for Potential Gang Activity Monica Springer 104

5 The Scared Straight Program Reduces Criminal Activity Among Youths Nick Lehr 109

6 The Scared Straight Program Is Ineffective Laurie O. Robinson Jeff Slowikowski 115

7 Communities, Law Enforcement, and Government Must Work Together to Reduce Gang Violence Yakima Herald-Republic 120

Facts About Gangs 124

Organizations to Contact 126

For Further Reading 131

Index 135

Picture Credits 142

Editorial Reviews

Review: Gangs "The titles in this series will be useful for students studying debate topics or researching for papers. It also teaches the valuable lesson that there are two sides to every issue."—ARBA, March 2009

From the Publisher