GANG CULTURE AND VIOLENCE
Teen gang violence is more than criminal activity. It is a culture created to fulfill the needs of alienated and disenfranchised youth. Being a member of a gang provides them with a sense of family and belonging. Part of the culture involves unconditional loyalty to the gang. In return for this loyalty the gang provides the individual with money, a sense of power, and the illusion that they are being taken care of. As a gang member the individual loses his identity and is mandated to follow the orders of the gang leaders who become their role models.
For this project, teenagers who live in gang dominated communities offer their experiences and feelings regarding gang activities. Their stories provide insight as to why so many youth become gang members and, in many cases, reveal the hopelessness in their situations.