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Teenagers 'scared to leave homes'
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by generaldecay | August 3, 2009 at 11:02 pm
287 views | 38 Recommendations | 12 comments
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The fear of gang attacks is stopping young people from straying from their neighbourhood, research has suggested. A study involving 60 teenagers from Glasgow found that gang rivalry meant young people felt threatened walking just a few streets from their home. Job opportunities, leisure activities and relationships were all suffering as a result, the research found.
Gangs in the UK are becoming increasingly problematic. Not only are more and more gangs emerging but some reports (although not this one) claim that they are adopting some of the more brutal practices for which many of the well-established gangs in the US are known.
Dr Ross Deuchar, of the University of Strathclyde, said of his findings: "Glasgow's housing schemes were dominated by territorial issues and many young people felt unable to cross territorial boundaries because of fear. "Territorial issues were clearly placing limits on young people's freedom and this impacted on their employment prospects, their ability to engage in recreational and leisure activities, to move house or engage in trustful relationships with others. "Even those young people who managed to stay away from gang culture suffered from a lack of spatial mobility and a feeling of being trapped." One gang member told the study: "They offered me (accommodation in another housing) scheme right across from us, and obviously I can't get a house there because as soon as you get there you'll just get the door kicked in. "So you stay in your own scheme because you know everybody, you know the surroundings."
It is my feeling, as alluded to in the piece, that not only was the increase in gang activity not predicted but there are far from enough resources in place to address it. Not only that, criminal justice agencies in the UK do not really have a thorough understanding of gangs yet, and that too is hindering any attempts to intervene with gang activity. In other words, this problem is going to get worse before it gets better.
If anyone is interested, by the way, the research will be published shortly in 'Sociology', which is an academic journal of the British Sociological Association.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 07:01 on August 4th, 2009
As you have said, here in the US we have experience dealing with gangs. The communities that have been successful in combating gang violence have worked at the community level, many times without help from city/state gov.
It REALLY is a community problem that together the community can solve.
P.S. get the local schools involved too.
at 09:07 on August 4th, 2009
Spyder, thank you for your recommendation and comment.
I think you make an excellent point about the ways in which you have to work with gangs - and involving institutions is often not the best method.
at 08:11 on August 4th, 2009
This is very disturbing. There is a cyclical element to this too. As young people have fewer employment options they will increasingly become reliant on the gangs for economic opportunities, thereby increasing their strength.
at 09:11 on August 4th, 2009
Michael, thanks for the recommendation and comment. And you're absolutely right about the cyclical element of much offending behaviour, and particularly involvement with gangs. How to intervene though...
at 09:44 on August 4th, 2009
We visited Scotland many times since '84 and have seen a deterioration in the social fabric of even the smaller towns and villages. Notices were up in village shop windows for the elderly to report intimidation by 'young toughs'. Employment opportunities seemed pretty sparse for the young people.
at 11:04 on August 4th, 2009
Well, as others here have said, without a job, the teens have nothing else to do, & if nobody will mentoring them or encouraging them to do better, what else would you expect.
I think it all comes down to the breakdown of the family unit as the center of a young persons life.
at 22:43 on August 4th, 2009
I think also it is up to them too. If they have nothing to do, they should be creative instead of always 'waiting for something be given to them'. They could perhaps join a young persons political group. When I a teenager on the farm, we had loads of things to do. One thing was the Young Farmers Club. Somethings don't even cost, like reading and they can go into art, sport or music. There are tons to do without getting into crime. I know teenagers who are into athletics and they don't hang round streets causing mayhem. They are contributing in their own way to society instead of being a detriment. We should look the role positive teenagers make to society too. Not all teenagers hang round in gangs.
at 22:49 on August 4th, 2009
When I live in London, there are some street gangs but there are loads of teenagers, playing sport. Beckham, who used to live near me, could have been a product of a 'gangland' culture but instead he played football and excelled at that. Teenagers have a choice.
at 22:50 on August 4th, 2009
Saying that, you have to have your wits about you if you live in this area, and there are curfews. People don't go out in the evenings much here. However, like I said, it is up to people if they want to join gangs or not.
at 05:01 on August 5th, 2009
Yes, the kids do have a choice, but most of the kids that I have known (that would be tempted by gangs) wouldn't think of going to the library or art (unless a spray can is involved). For many teenagers the pressure of their friends will tend to be the driving force in what they do.
Now, how do we redirect teens into thinking & to choose to better their lives instead of squandering what they have...
at 03:28 on August 10th, 2009
WE NOT SCARED OF ANYTHING, THERES SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE. WE ARE OUT HERE, NOTHING SCARES US, IF YOU INTIMIDATED ME AND SAID YOU WERE GOING TO DISECT ME OR PUT ME IN SEALED TANK FILLED WITH WATER TO DIE OR TO JUMP INTO THE SEA WITH GREAT WHITES, WERE UNAFFECTED, CAN CONCENTRATE ON SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, FACTUAL.
THE PROBLEM WITH THE WORLD IS EVERYONE IS SCARED DIE AND THUS DON'T FACE ANY DIFFICULTIES IN THE APPROPRIATE MANNER.
WE NOT SCARED TO EDUCATE, LOSS EVERYTHING, WE DIE ANYWAY