Gangs Poverty and the Future

"Gangs,Poverty,and the Future" James Diego Vigil

Thesis: Individuals whom live in poverty tend to become very easily influenced by drugs, gangs and crime.

The article written by Vigil discusses how individuals living in povertyin Los Angeles are easily influenced to fall into the gangs that control the streets. Vigil talks about the social dichotomy of the fortunate and the less fortunate. He makes a reference to the "theory of strain". This theory states that the "status goals established by the dominant society, and the inadequate means of the low income people to reach these goals." This applies to low income people because it is difficult to acheive the goals set forth by society ("the wealthy") due to limited means. And the unfortunate use different methods of acheiving some type of success for example selling drugs.
Another poin that Vigil makes is the loss of social control leading to the development of gangs. "Institutions such as family, schools,and police are expected to proovide this control, however where these institutions have broken down, the situation is ripe for the rise of and perpetuation of street level gangs."( Vigil pg 234) Not having guidance or anytype of positive social structure to rely on individuals tend to bond together in order to recreate this feeling thats what "the gang" is. The article explains how society views only the negative aspect of gangs that being t"the drive bys, random shootings, and criminal lifestyles."(Vigil 235) And the somewhat positive aspects of gang life is ignored. The whole idea of protection offered by a gang is overlooked. One teen speaks about his struggles to perform everyday tasks due to violence in his neighborhood. He goes on to explain that once he was apart of the gang "Cuarto Flats" he never feared walking home from school again. Its situations like this that help su understand why exactly people join gangs. Because "social instiutions.....law enforcement" have broken down residents seek other means of protection.
Being in a gang is a means of protection, and although their are negativites that are associated with the "gang" to thoes involve it is a family. The article explains that usually gangs are found in areas where residents are poverty, lack unemployment ,education and the family dynamic. This is a perfect example as to why people become part of gangs not only for protection but for a sense of belonging to something bigger other than themselves.