Youth Gangs and Violence In Schools Essays -- Youth Gangs Essays

The theme, which I have decided to research and base my portfolio on, is Youth Gangs and Violence In Schools. The term â€Å"Youth† is defined by the Compact Oxford English Dictionary as the period between childhood and adulthood and is also commonly used as a noun to describe young people. The same dictionary defines a â€Å"Gang† as an organised group of criminals or disorderly young people. Youth gangs are groups of young people who assemble and often engage in criminal and illegal activities such as graffiti, vandalism, theft, robbery and violent activities including, gang fights and brawls. The Compact Oxford English Dictionary defines â€Å" violence† as behaviour involving physical force intended to hurt, damage or kill. Violent acts committed by gang members are often done with the intention of causing physical and or psychological trauma/ injury to persons. These acts include bullying, threatening, inflicting physical injury or applying any physical force, which hurts a person, the throwing of objects and missiles at or towards persons, destruction of a victim’s property or any type of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. ====================================================================== Nowadays, there is a small minority of students attending elementary and more so secondary schools who are forming gangs. The growth of gang culture has not only occurred in places like the United States of America and Great Britain, but also in smaller lesser-developed countries in the Caribbean. ====================================================================== Sad to say, Gang Violence in my very own school is on the rise. As re... ... In conclusion, neither the level nor incidence of school violence and gang culture has yet gripped the Caribbean as it has elsewhere. However, the youths here are influenced by the cross fertilization of contemporary social behaviour as depicted in songs, music videos (MTV; BET; VH1) films and literature. American culture is dominant and is very influential on Caribbean society. The two pieces are good starting points. They are informative, well written and documented. The level and type of violence, which is emerging here has American influence and thus the studies are relevant, though not in all respects. Our socio-economic and demographic factors are quite different. Both studies are well written, clear and easy to follow and can undoubtedly assist the reader, as it did me, in my research on this topic.