Central American Youth Gangs

Topic: Central American Youth Gangs

Argument: Central American youth join gangs simply because of the poverty they live in, they find a comfort zone, and their lack of money and education.

Sources: Articles, Books, Personal Experience

I myself have personally been to Central America and I have seen youth gang members and their environment. It is sad to see how many of these young people don't have the same opportunities we in here in the United States do. Not only do they have to live in poverty but they also have to struggle to survive. I choose to write about this topic because in a way I can understand why some of these young people fall victims of their environment. 

  Central American countries face many social problems, and one of their main problems is youth gangs. Gangs are groups of individuals who get together and share a common interest it is like a subculture. The violence that these young gang members cause is outrageous. The big question is why do many Central American youth join gangs? Why do they find comfort by choosing this lifestyle? Central American youth join gangs simply because of the poverty they live in, they find a comfort zone, and their lack of money and education. These conditions in third word countries are why people join gangs. Young people are not given much opportunities besides doing drugs and joining gangs for survival.

Finally, now days gangs constantly battle each other and the police for control. The problem is obviously still present. Officials seem to be focusing more on the gangs now and not on prevention and awareness programs. Most gangster right now have their minds set and its going to be really hard to change them, however something can be done to prevent the youth of today from following on the chain. If more opportunities are created such as intervention programs, youth centers, schools, after school programs and jobs there can be a promising future for these at risk youth.  Central American youth join gangs simply because of the poverty they live in, they find a comfort zone, and their lack of money and education

Works Cited

"Bringing It All Back Home." Economist, 371.8376 (2004): 31-32.

Arana, Ana. "How the Street Gangs Took Central America." Foreign Affairs 84.3 (2005): 98-110. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Dec. 2010.

Out of the Underworld." Economist, 378.8459 (2006): 23-26 

Campo-Flores, Arian, Daren Briscoe, Daniel Klaidman, Michael Isikoff, Jennifer Ordonez, Joseph Contreras, and Alvaro Cruz. "The Most Dangerous Gang in America." Newsweek, 145.13 (2005): 22-25

Garland, Sarah. "Central America: Anti-Gang Agreement." NACLA Report on the Americas V. 37 No. 5 (March/April 2004) P. 1, 37.5 (2004): 1.

"Youth Gangs in Latin America." The SAIS Review of International Affairs V. 26 No. 2 (Summer/Fall 2006) P. 133-52, 26.2 (2006): 133-152