^[pretending as if I know something about it, which I really don't -Ken]
INNER CITIES AND GANGS, some thoughts by Kenneth Udut:
Boys, of whom most gangs are comprised, although not exclusively by any means (there are some really tough girls in gangs who are equal or better match – not trying to be sexist here) – growing up look for powerful role models.
There are many views of power. You can have the smiling, silent and emotionally/mentally strong hero. You can have the mean, "I destroy my enemies" type of hero and many other archetypes of role models out there.
Entertainment on TV and the Internet fulfills some of the need for role models but watching is not enough. You need an interactive role model.
Gang initiations differ but often have a similar structure – a series of steps that are easily followed with a series of challenges to be met in order to rise in the ranks. This is a natural structure in organizations of all kinds and organizations formed by children (who then grow up) and filled by children, will likely have this kind of structure.
The children grow up within that system and become masters of manipulation, business and fear. In other circles they would be powerful lords of Business, running quite successful organizations with products and services or roaming salesmen who can pitch a product to anybody and get them to buy.
But the opportunities for a white collar future are not there. Their business sense and intelligence is used in an arena they DO have some control over. And the business of criminal activity takes just as much intelligence as running the largest of corporations.
Gangs that are organized internally can last for decades, just like corporations.
Opportunistic, ad-hoc gangs are the more anarchistic type and are easier for the local authorities to control for they are typically small and unbalanced.
I feel emotional when I think of the misused intellectual capital in these horrendous environments. These children work with what they have, with the role models they have at hand. The police allow themselves to become seen as the enemy, which closes that door for role model. Social support groups can be helpful up to a certain age, but then what? Adults are scared of the power of adolescence and always have been. Support programs usually stop dead by age 11 or 12. Where do teenagers go for social support and a sense of belonging?
Redirection has to happen prior to entry. Of course gangs need to be tackled head on; but if someone wants to dismantle gangs, they need to give much better and equally stable alternative choices for the often choiceless children who are tired of feeling disenfranchised.
Thoughts?^
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