Gang Membership & Dysfunctional Families

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 a

. . .
hild who will seek out gang membership to find the care they lack at home, “Most gang members come from dysfunctional homes, from very similar abandonment experiences, and from other noxious home environments where the parents fight violently. Many gang members described a childhood tainted by neglect by their parents, guardians, or foster home” (Parents 1). This research is significant for linking the independent variable of family dysfunction as a cause to the dependent variable of gang membership. It also sheds light on the fact that the dysfunctional family can also include the home where there is a very good relationship between the mother and teen, but the mother views the son as one who can do no wrong and often fails to develop the skills in him or her that would make them shy away from gang involvement-such as learning to be responsible for his or her actions. One of the biggest problems affecting many teens who eventually join gangs is the fact that they come from fatherless homes. Single mothers are often in difficult economic situations, must spend a great deal of their time working and all too often are unable to properly supervise or control a strong-willed child. The lack of a firm male authority figure often
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Mimi Wickliff, Research Method, Willie Edwards, Michael Morrissey, Question Justification, Independent Variables, Logue Martell, Topic Justification, Jesse Peterson, Related Enablers, gang membership, academic performance, dysfunctional families, research question, school environment, dysfunctional family, join gangs, independent variables, nov 8 1998, gangs means, home environment, seek gang membership, antisocial criminal acts, poor academic performance, commit antisocial criminal,
Approximate Word count = 2059
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Gang Membership & Dysfunctional Families