of upward mobility they feel society denies them. Spriggs reports that at 24.7 percent, the black poverty rate is almost twice that of the general population" (15). With its roots in Marxist theory, social conflict theory maintains in a capitalist society the poor or working class are often exploited at the expense of the wealthy. As one sociologist defines it, "Social conflict theory stresses the extent to which individuals, groups and classes within society are in competition with each other for whatever people in society consider to be worthwhile" (Conflict 1).
Gang membership and gun violence are highest among African American youth. One study reported that African-Americans, future and current gang members, are most likely to own a gun for protection (Bjerregaard and Lizotte 37). This analysis will argue that ineffective response policies by law enforcement and the justice system and a variety of social factors promote violence and gang membership among African American youth. A conclusion will offer recommendations for policymakers to help resolve the social problem of increasing violence and gang membership among African American youth.
Factors Promoting Gang Membership among Black Youth
Increasing gang membership and an increase in the types and prevalence of gang violence make discovery of the factors responsible for it a first step in helping to formulate effective policies to resolve the issue. Christoffel presents the findings of a two-decade long study that found youth were sustaining injuries and deaths related to guns at "unprecedented rates" (626). Gang-related homicides increased with an increase in the use of firearms, especially in light of gang activities becoming more violent to include drug-related activities, the use of firearms and other serious crimes (Bjerregaard and Lizotte 37). The increased seriousness of gang-related crimes and increased gang membership makes finding th...