Week 9 Discussion - JUVENILE D.

Which argument do you support – the psychological factors that lead to juvenile gang membership or the social factors? Support your argument detailing the underlying philosophy and theory of both factors. Does a juvenile’s gender, race or ethnic background matter in your opinion and why?

The argument that support the psychological viewpoint that reflects that due to a need to belong these desires for belonging help a juvenile attribute and obtain closeness. Gangs serve as substitute families and provide inner nurturing that may not be done elsewhere. A youth’s age is paramount to success in the assimilation process of beguilement into criminal activities and other nocturnal ventures – sexual or violent. Further the acts of truancy is readily available and supported by all in gangs and the adage “there is alleged strength in numbers” and protection from others that are a threat to them.

Both psychological and social factors are affective variables that cause alteration in behavioral patterns that are not of a positive mien but are detrimental overall. Social factors are increasingly noted to reflect that influence comes from backgrounds of low socioeconomic backgrounds, neighborhoods that have existing gangs with a high prevalence in juvenile delinquency. Further poor parental guidance, familial past and present with high levels of criminality are affective of negative changes in youth and present gang memberships who serve as role models causes patterns of emulation. As relates to both psychological and social factors, both have high levels of low self-esteem with contributory levels of deviancy, delinquency, antisocial behavior, aggression and reflects similar characteristics reflective in gang memberships.

A juvenile’s gender, race or ethnic background does not matter in the process of assimilation, conversion and mergence and this is what reflects the possibility to be able to interact with behavioral patterns outside the norms of society.

http://kar.kent.ac.uk/27523/2/Gang_involvement_-_Revised2_ACCEPTED_by_Aggressive_bevhavior.pdf

Juvenile Justice, Taylor/Fritsch, Third Edition