Gangs Essay -- Gang Essays

Gangs Since the beginning of the decade, teenage homicides increased by one hundred and fifty percent (Strout, Brian 1996). This sharp increase is largely due to the rapid formation of gang activity throughout the United States (Strout, Brian, 1996). In today's larger cities, gang violence is a reality that people have to deal with every day. As gang related crimes increase, officials are trying to find out why people join and remain loyal to gangs. Unfortunately, experts can only hypothesize explanations for gang involvement. However, by studying societys influence on humans, there is evidence to blame several forces. These speculations include the forces of peer pressure, broken families, gang loyalty, protection, and the media. First of all, most teens become attracted to gangs by peer pressure and greed. Estimamates show that forty percent of all gang members joined because their friends influenced them (Solution for a new year 1996). Teen gangsters will pressure peers into becoming part of a gang by making it sound glamorous. Recruiters will often promise popularity in exchange for their loyalty. Although most gang members find popularity, it often means losing close friends to rival gangs. Another crucial factor is the need for money. A 6 year old kid, who is not yet a member, receives impressions that he or she could make $200 to $400 for a small gang job. In August of 1996, an eleven year old Compton child received $400 for killing a rival classmate (Wesbrach, 1996). Although money and popularity are important factors, they are not strong enough to persuade kids to do things that are strongly against their morals. Other stronger force such as broken families and the media, along with peer pressure, works together to persuade young kids to join a gang. Second of all, the formation of gangs in cities, and most recently in suburbs, is facilitated by the lack of community upbringing among parents. In a fully developed community, a network of relations can be found among several parents. The relationship could be a parent, teacher, and minister, depending on the child's circumstances. In South Central Los Angeles, this communication can not be found, so students turn to gangs for companionship. In a classroom with no security, students could be distracted from learning, and thus distraced from the network. Furthermore, in poor families with many child... ... a stronger propensity to becoming a violent gang member or 'violent-acceptant' person. So, as anyone can see, if TV leads a child to believe that violence is the norm this will manifest itself in the actions of a child in a gang situation. This is especially the case when parents do not spend much time with their kids explaining what is right and what is wrong in front of a TV. Quite often newer books and some types of music will enforce this type of thought and ideas. In order to curve violence, the system must change. So, as stated, gangs are a product of the environment the world has created for ourselves. Some of these factors include peer pressure, broken families, gang loyalty, protection, and the media. There seems to be no way to end the problem of gangs without totally restructuring the modern media and value system. Since the chance of this happening is minimal, we must learn to cope with gangs and try to keep their following to a minimum. Unfortunately, there is no organized force to effectively help fight gangs. As a community, people must bond, talk to children, enforce positive peer pressure, and censor the media in order to prevent gang growth in America's cities.

United States

The Golden Gate Bridge (California) The Golden Gate Bridge was named one of the â€Å"Seven Wonders of the Modern World† by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937 to connect the city of San Francisco to Marin County across the Golden Gate Strait. Chicago (Illinois) Welcome to Chicago, America's third largest city and one of its best tourist destinations! Chicago's skyline is quite impressive. Indeed, the city is famous for its architecture. Atlantic City (NEW JERSEY) Atlantic City is a resort town located in South Jersey, New Jersey, USA. The town is famous for its gambling casinos, its boardwalk and its beach. Las Vegas (Nevada) Are you interested in gambling, seeing a show, or perhaps exploring the Hoover Dam and Red Red Rock Canyon? Want to see more of this famous desert city ? Mount Rushmore (South Dakota) Mount Rushmore is located in South Dakota. Carved into the granite wall of Mount Rushmore are the faces of 4 presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. These presidents symbolize the United States ideals: Washington standing for independence; Jefferson for democracy; Lincoln for equality; and, Roosevelt for the role in world affairs. The Statue of Liberty (New York) The Statue of Liberty is one of the best known American landmarks. It was a gift to the United States from France to commemorate their alliance during the American Revolution. It is located in the New York harbor near Ellis Island. The statue welcomed new immigrants to the United States who entered the country through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. The statue is 111 feet, 1 inch tall and made from 225 tons of copper. It was given to the people of the United States by France on July 4, 1884 to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the American Revolution. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Liberty Bell – Philadelphia, (Pennsylvania) Also in Philadelphia is the ever popular Liberty Bell. Once housed in Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell now has its own home in a safe building right across the street on the lawn at Independence Mall. Entrance to the hall is free, but all visitors must go through security before entering. The Liberty Bell is open every day except Christmas. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) The Grand Canyon is one of the top natural wonders in the world. Nothing compares to seeing it in person, but on the following pages, I will try to impress you with the pictures I took while visiting this National Park. Sedona (Arizona) Sedona is renowned for its beautiful Red Rocks that seem to change color and hue each time you glance their way, and its mystical Vortexes where the soul and energy flows flourish. Big Sur (California) If you want to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco (or vice versa), you should drive along Highway 1, a road with the most awesome coastal views in the United States. San Francisco (California) For a better understanding of San Francisco's uniqueness among North American cities, let's take a Photographic Tour of a few points of interest which can define it: Fisherman's Wharf, the Union Square, the Civic Center, the Financial District, North Beach, Chinatown, and last but not least, Pacific Heights. Los Angeles (California) The second biggest city in the US is worldwide famous for its attractions. Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Long Beach, Downtown. San Diego (California) The second largest city in California is famous for its nice weather, the Sea World, its Zoo, and its nice beaches. Yosemite National Park (California) Yosemite National Park, Central California, is famous for its granite cliffs, its waterfalls, its streams, its giant sequoias groves, and its bio diversity. Washington, D.C. Landmarks The city of Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America. The Whitehouse The Whitehouse, located in Washington, D.C., is the home of the United States president. It has been the home for every U.S. president, except George Washington. Construction was started on October 13, 1792, on a site selected by George Washington. The house was not completed until 1800, when President John Adams moved in. The original home was burned by the British in 1814, during the War of 1812. The house was rebuilt and painted white to cover its fire-blackened walls. This is how it got the name the Whitehouse. The Washington Monument The Washington Monument is the tallest structure in Washington, D.C., The Washington Monument was built to honor George Washington, first president of the United States. The monument was completed and dedicated in 1885. It is a white marble structure 555 feet, 5-1/8 inches tall. The Lincoln Memorial The Lincoln Memorial, located in Washington, D.C., was built to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. Inside the monument is a 19 foot white marble statue of Abraham Lincoln. On the walls are etched the words of his Gettysburg Address calling for unity of the country, â€Å"that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.† The Capitol Building It is located in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill. The Capitol Building is the home of the United States Congress. The Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, to make laws that govern the country. The Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian Institution consists of several museums including: the National Museum of Natural History; the National Air and Space Museum; the National Museum of American Art; and, the National Museum of African Art. War Memorials Washington, D.C. is home to many of the nations war memorials such as the Korean War Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., make sure you see these monuments. They are even more impressive in real life. Iwo Jima The Iwo Jima Memorial honors the U.S. Marine and Navy corpsmen at the battle of Iwo Jima at the end of the Second World War. Vietnam Memorial The Vietnam Memorial was built to honor the soldiers who died in the Vietnam War. It is a large black stone wall. On the wall are etched the names of all the United States soldiers who died in the Vietnam War.