Imagine a family’s blood line ending because of one simple mistake. Many families face this because their children get involved with dangerous activities revolving around the concept of gangs. In fact, 68% of the victims in gang-related homicides had a criminal record in 2010 (Mahony, 2010). In Canada, the number of youth gangs is increasing which is instigating a lot of concern. The concern, however, is not enough to eliminate all gangs and change the damage that has been done. This is mainly because there are many aspects of youth gangs, including family, community, and peer groups. In several cases, families initiate a child’s desire to join a youth gang directly or indirectly. Some people experience difficult family conditions which drive …show more content…
This issue is broken down in the book, Common Elements in Youth Drug Abuse. It explains that family stress can be a probable reason to commence drug use and abuse as it is seen as a coping method and a way to compensate for personal problems. Also, this book depicts that drugs are commonly disbursed in deviant groups and places resulting in possibilities of dangerous gang action (Peele, n.d.). Stress is a natural occurring process which everyone faces, however low-income families face a higher amount because complications pile up similar to the snowball effect. Youth from low-income families face high amounts of stress and tend to have a higher pressure to retrieve a job and work earlier to support their family (Sikhan 2013). The emphasis applied to acting like an adult and taking on adult roles earlier can be stressful as their childhood is rushed and they are forced to take care of themselves. A possible outcome of distress is joining a group of people to consume drugs. Studies conclude that lower-income children experience hospitalization due to addictions and mental illnesses more than high class youth (ICES, 2015). On the other hand, youth may sell drugs within a gang to support the family. This could possibly be because young individuals see no other option for themselves and resort to the position of a supplier. It is a ripple effect as it begins with a child born into a family with a low socioeconomic status, leading to the child going through a tough lifestyle, and resulting in drugs appearing as a solution. The individual’s class becomes a guide which leads them into doing certain things and having certain objectives. For example as a child from a low class family, one has less motivation in school as they are aware of the expenses for post-secondary. Their attention is diverted and put towards negative energy. Overall, the class