Gangs and Gang Violence in Jersey City Research Paper

Gangs and Gang Violence in Jersey City - Research Paper Example Likewise, use of threats to, both members and non-members of the gangs is a normal phenomenon. Furthermore, gangs normally have at least one rival and that increases the potential of violence. Further researches indicate that gangs are unique and unified by their ability to propagate dread. Existence of any given gang group normally leads to the potential formation of another in order to protect the local community from the violent activities of the gangs. By so doing, there is a perpetual problem because of the reaction effect that comes with the existence of a gang in any particular locality. Poverty and unemployment are catalyst of for gang formation because the youths become a target by the police; and in retaliation, they organize themselves into gangs. The same adversarial concept explains the reason behind formation of different types of gangs, spread all over the world. Threats to any particular group catalysis the formation of a gang since the general feeling is that the grouping may is targeted hence the need to over self-protection. As a result of the formation, the group poses a challenge to both the members and non-members. Cohesions among different gangs are strengthened as the threat level increases because members feel the need for cohesion to enhance their ability to react when threatened. With that comes, the increased magnitude of violence. Violence in gangs normally arises from â€Å"contagion†. This refers to the poisoning of the mind of the gang members to the extent of believing in certain ideologies and retaliation once those ideologies are threatened. Once threatened by violence, a gang retaliates and the effect is spread violence in the area. Similarly, violence spreads the activities of a gang group from one area to another. The riding factors are: the any assault or violence directed to the gang, the retaliatory effects of the gang and the subsequent escalation of the violence to, previously, peaceful