"What is the most important part of life?", Taylor found that 37 of the forty said that money was that most important part of life. The other three said that a car was the most important part of life, but of course a car cannot be purchased without money. The gang culture did not invent the importance of money, but simply reflects what society teaches. If Taylor truly expects society to suddenly reinforce the message that money will not solve problems, he is deceiving himself.
When Taylor suggests that it is up to the parents to teach the youth that gangs are not the answer to their problems, he forgets that for many youth, gangs answer a number of important needs. Yes, they provide money. Yes, they provide drugs. But, just as importantly, they provide a sense of belonging, a feeling of community which the larger society does not provide. Until society is profoundly a
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