Youth Gangs/Violence in American Society

Youth gangs/violence in the United States has been characterized as aggressive behavior through verbal or physical abuse involving young adults. These behaviors by the youth include serious violent acts such as: assault, robbery, rape and homicide against the American people. Youth gangs/violence in the United States has been a major issue in our society and especially in ethnic communities for many decades. It is essential to explore and study this issue in order to identify the factors contributing to the rise in youth gangs/violence in our country and to better secure and protect the future of not only America but the world. There are way too many young men and women joining gangs and leaning towards the life of crime and violence.

            Youth gangs/violence is considered by many to be a public health burden with no end in sight, especially with the new generation which seems to have no moral value. Youth gangs and violence has been around for many years and it finally seems to be dropping steadily year by year, “Although rates of youth homicide have declined substantially during recent years, much work remains in reducing this public health burden. Homicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10–24 years in the United States. Violence is also a major cause of nonfatal injuries among youth. In 2006, a total of 720,371 young people aged 10–24 years were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries sustained from assaults” (CDC). It does not matter the color of your skin, if you are male or female or were you live, youth gangs/violence is everywhere, especially in the impoverished areas around the United States.

            The lack of higher education and mentors in a youth’s life can contribute to the rise of youth gang involvement. According to Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere (STRYVE), “5 percent of U.S. high school students do not go to school because they feel unsafe”. Every young adult deserves to go to school without having to worry for themselves. Schools are not enough to keep the youth out of gangs and violence, there needs to be more after school programs available to them in order to keep them off the streets and doing something productive with their time.

            After school programs allow the future generation a chance to learn new trades, and some educate them about different jobs that are available to them, and how to obtain them. After school programs also allow them a chance to be creative, and constructive. Furthermore, after school programs when ran correctly provide a safe haven from negative influences in their communities. However, for youths in impoverished areas funding tends to be overlooked when dispersed, which causes schools not to have an after school program.

            Without after school programs that educate and occupy a youth’s time, impoverished youths are forced to participate in activities that do not necessarily challenge them both physically and mentally in a positive manner. As a result, some youths end up spending time with members in their community that promote negative behaviors. If we had more programs that allowed impoverished youths a chance to occupy their time, and allowed them a chance to learn positive norms accepted by society, then the new generation would gain different perspectives they would not gain while spending most of their time around negative elements in their community. It is important that we do all in our power to help the future of America succeed and become all that they can.

Sources:

"CDC - Youth Violence National and State Statistics at a Glance." Centers for Disease Control and       Prevention. Web. 6 Feb. 2011.

<http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/youthviolence/stats_at-a_glance/>.

STRYVE - Striving To Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere. Web. 8 Feb. 2011.             <http://www.safeyouth.gov/Pages/Home.aspx>.