The Impact Of The Dysfunctional Family
Dependent & Independent Variables 2
Research Question & Justification 7
The topic to be researched centers on the variables that cause youths to become members of gangs, gangs that typically exhibit anti-social and criminal behavior. Crime rates among youths, especially violent crime, have been increasing over the past decade at an alarming rate. In many cities, large and small, children in their early teens are committing violent crimes such as armed robbery, rape and murder. This is problematic for the justice system which must deliberate how best to treat teen offenders, either as adults that must go through the justice system or as children capable of being rehabilitated. Further, not only are these children negatively affected but so are countless other innocent children who often fall victim to gang member violence.
In light of evidence suggesting violent crime is in the rise among youths, the research question posed is: What variables are responsible for causing so many of today’s teens to commit antisocial and criminal acts as a result of gang membership?
The dependent variable to be studied is the participation of teens in gangs. The two independent variables under study are: dysfunctional families and academic performance. The dependent variable will be measured from actual statistics of the numbers of teens purportedly belonging to gangs. The independent variables will be measured from a review of the literature based on research, law enforcement statistics and statements and disclosures made by actual teen gang members or former gang members.
(1) If a teen is raised in a dysfunctional family environment then he or she will be more likely seek out gang membership as a means of belonging.
(2) If a teen performs poorly academically and does not have a close bond with his or her school then he or she will be more likely to seek out gang membe...