Capitalism Fosters Gang Behavior (From Gangs: Opposing Viewpoints, P 41-45, 1996, David Bender and Bruno Leone, eds. -- See NCJ-159928)

• NCJ Number: 159933
• Author(s): E Parsels
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Opposing Viewpoints Series

Annotation

America's capitalist society has created an environment in which gangs and related crime and violence are increasing; a lack of jobs and capitalism's "win at any cost" principle are major reasons why nonwhite males turn to gangs and crime.

Abstract

Violence disproportionately involves young, nonwhite, working class males. These males are often unemployed and their standard of living has deteriorated over time. Without a steady income, they cannot support themselves and frequently turn to crime and the drug market to survive. In particular, many youth in both urban and rural areas do not have the opportunity to earn a legitimate living and have become involved in gangs and violence. A tougher law enforcement response is not always the answer to gang involvement, however, because racism, crime, and poverty represent class issues and the ruling capitalist class cannot necessarily be relied upon to solve problems affecting the working class.