Linda Petrusi holds a BA in International Studies, a Minor in Black Studies, a certificate in mediation and will shortly complete her Masters in Conflict Resolution. Feedback to: linda@caribbeannetnews.com

What causes young people to join gangs? How does gang membership create a unique social identity for youths?  What preventive actions can be established by government, communities, schools, police officials and the media to help safeguard children from joining gangs?

 Youths are more likely to join gangs when poverty, inadequate schooling, lack of parental guidance and a sense of not belonging to their community occurs. They see their world spinning out of control and feel powerless to change it.  Hence the need for guns, violence and drugs as well as the need to control their “turf”; brings youths a sense of power as well as kinship.

Kinship or the feeling of being connected to a “family” is perhaps the main reason youths decide to join a gang.  They establish their own code of honor and fierce loyalty to their gang family.  Moreover, simply punishing gang members by throwing them in jail does not decrease the likelihood of solving the problem of gangs.  Indeed, gang members continue their destructive behaviors while serving time and when released are seen as martyrs by their gang family.

Studies indicate that removing offenders from the community causes more harm than good.  The goal is to integrate the youth into the community in ways that will make the youth feel connected to the community,  allow them to demonstrate accountability and responsibility for the harms done, and to pay restitution to their victims.  Community safety is best achieved when peace, harmony and mutual respect is established.  It is important that youthful offenders become part of that process and that community groups and citizens feel they can personally prevent and control crime.

Meaningful community service is a necessary component that needs to be established.  The more the offender gives to the community, the more vested she/he becomes in the safety of that community.  Kinship within gangs slowly shifts to kinship within the community.  After school programs that challenge and educate as well as sport activities fosters respect, teamwork and social skills all of which are necessary to navigate through life’s ups and downs.  Parenting skills, anger management and teacher training in conflict resolution become powerful weapons.  I am not suggesting that all offenders should be reintegrated into the community.  There are circumstances where incarceration is the best solution.  However given the fact that most gang members are between the ages of 8 and 24, suggests that rehabilitation can occur without incarceration.

Taking action against gangs can be frightening and intimidating.  Involve as many people necessary to protect the safety of your neighborhoods.  After all, the future of our children depends upon it.