Youth Gang Explosion

15 Pages 3640 Words

ises to fulfill their needs. Meanwhile,
deterrent and rehabilitative efforts will continue to fail because these underclass youth can’t shed
these stereotypes.
2. CAUSES OF GANG EXPLOSION
The book cited that there were many factors that contributed to the increasing number
of blacks living in poverty in the Milwaukee. One main cause was the deindustrialization that
was occurring in the city. Industry and the manufacture of goods had provided many of those
living in the inner city with jobs. When these factories began to close there was nothing brought
in to replace the jobs. Unemployment soared as the only jobs available were those found in the
service industry which paid very poorly.
More and more blacks were without a job and become dependent on government
funds for support. The economic growth that was occurring in the city was limited to areas
other than the inner city neighborhoods. This further widened the gap between the working
middleclass and the growing underclass. This lead to further hostility as poor neighborhoods
were bordered by middle and upper-class neighborhoods. There were clear social and
economic boundaries that divided the city.
The black underclass was alienated from mainstream culture and good paying jobs.
The unemployed took to the streets and corners where they would hang out because there
wasn’t anything better to do. Eventually, gangs began to form as the group began to participate
in criminal money making schemes. The gangs were a chance to get by. They were a chance
for the individual to survive by joining with a group and trying to make money. Drug trafficking
and other crimes provided the income that they had lost. The need to maintain and expand on
money making opportunities led gangs defending neighborhoods against any invading gangs.
This served to further strengthen the gang’s territory and the gang’s themselves.
3. COMMUNITY’S DENIAL
Accor...