The term “gang” can refer to groups with a common purpose, but is often associated with street gangs involved in illegal activities. Gangs are organized with leaders and a hierarchy, and members share a common identity based on ethnicity, culture, class, religion or other factors. Gang violence has been a problem for many communities, and efforts are made to prevent young people from joining gangs. Leaving a gang can be difficult, but assistance is available. Some gangs use symbols to identify themselves, while others do not.
A gang is a group of people who share a common identity and purpose. The term has been specifically associated with street gangs, which organize for the purpose of carrying out illegal activities that can range from inciting conflict with other gangs to drug dealing. Because of this, people tend to pay attention to how they use the word “gang,” to make sure people know what kind of gang is being discussed. For example, historically groups of people who worked together in construction were known as “gang” and this usage has become less common to avoid confusion.
Defining a gang can be difficult, as the term has a fluid and often changing meaning. As a general rule, most definitions include the idea that a gang is organized in some way, often with clear leaders and a hierarchy, and that members get together to socialize and engage in various activities on a regular basis. Gang members’ shared identity may be based on ethnicity, culture, class, religion, or some other common thread that allows people to find something of interest in each other.
In the sense of gangs that commit violence, the idea of the gang is ancient, and many cultures have ample historical examples of gangs. In the early 20th century, gang violence has become a major problem for many people, especially in urban areas, where large gangs made up of minorities and impoverished individuals degrade the quality of life for many residents. These street gangs, as they are known, are notorious for committing violent acts and engaging in activities of dubious legality.
At a lower level, schoolyard gangs have what some people consider gang members in training, people who gravitate towards the gang lifestyle at an early age. People who want to see a reduction in violence and gang culture often try to keep an eye on the development of gangs in schoolyards and provide alternatives for young men and women who may be feeling bored, restless or frustrated in the school environment for prevent them from joining street gangs as they mature.
Street gang members may choose to identify themselves by nicknames, tattoos, specific slang, distinctive graffiti tags, or specific clothing styles. However, not all gangs identify with obvious symbols, especially highly organized gangs dealing in illegal drugs, weapons and other materials, and many members of minority groups have complained of being targeted as “members of gangs” by law enforcement for wearing the wrong clothes or speaking the wrong way.
Leaving a violent gang can be very difficult, especially for members who are deeply involved, rather than on the fringes of the gang. In communities where gang violence is a major problem, service organizations often offer assistance to people who wish to leave gangs; such assistance can range from professional training to tattoo removal.
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