Poverty's Facilitating Role on Gang Affiliation in Youth

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Abstract
Gang violence has been and increasing problems among youths in the United States. Previous studies have shown that poverty creates a setting that fosters gang problems in the communities. Poverty in communities set limitations for the youth that causes them to become gang members and involved in gang activity. This study examines the role poverty plays in facilitating youth to join gangs by conducting a qualitative interview with some former gang members. Face-to-face interviews with former gang members are expected to provide information on whether poverty plays a direct or indirect cause to gang membership. Enormous economic disparity is a main factor that many adolescents struggle with, before turning to gangs and criminal offending as a means of coping in an impoverished community (Salaam, 2011). We expect that our study will provide additional evidence to such arguments.

Authors

• Yesenia Lopez-Lopez, University of Nebraska at Kearney

• Kyung Yon Jhi, University of Nebraska at Kearney