Youth Gangs: A Long-Held Tradition of Society on the Fringe

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Youth Gangs: A Long-Held Tradition of Society on the Fringe
Gangs have a long history in all societies, with some dating back to the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese. Since then gangs have continued to form in various guises and for numerous reasons. Despite government figures that show a decline in criminal activities that can be attributed to gangs, this sub-culture continues to be a problem to law enforcement and to society in general, particularly in urban areas and big cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago; however, in recent years, sociologists and police agencies are recognizing that gangs are branching out to mid-sized cities throughout the country. The reasons why people join a gang vary, from economics to social...

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