Crimes of aggression result not only in physical but also psychological harm. A scar on the skin is as painful as a heart scar. Gang violence has become a big worry in the society we live in. Religion, politics, and various other factors contribute to violence. These acts of violence impact both the public and the private sphere. The harm of the individual is not only because of gang violence but also because of society’s reaction. In these acts of violence, the bodies of the innocent are being used as weapons. This article discusses some of the negative consequences of gang violence on individuals.
Whether it is about gangs or not, violence has a more significant impact on certain groups than others. Youth from ethnic minorities and poor regions are more likely to get affected by gang violence. To understand these experiences, one must read, educate and be aware. A fine place to start educating oneself about gang violence and its implication are these essays on gangs. People who get harmed by violence are more likely to have a history of mood disorders such as sadness and anxiety. They are more likely to live in emotional trauma.
A violent injury makes you more prone to mental health issues in the future. Repeated exposure to violence raises your chances of developing PTSD. Involvement in a gang is a gradual process that takes place over time. The impact of this process lies in the young person’s life trajectory and personal, family, and societal experiences.
Several studies have shown that risk variables for gang participation exist long before a young person enters. For example, youth who were the most maladjusted(social and behavior) turned out to be the most likely to join and remain in gangs for a long time. Bad childhood experiences and engagement in crime reinforce the route to continuous criminality. Furthermore, data shows that joining gangs and staying in them for a long time has a connection to a higher risk of delinquency.
Negative Business Consequences
Gang violence has the potential to harm companies. It may make individuals fearful of going to stores and shopping. If gang violence happens near a company, the business may see a significant drop in consumers. Gang violence may also lead to criminal activity inside a company. Gang members trying to steal money from a company illustrate this.
Bad Influences on Young Teenagers
It can persuade young teenagers to conduct a variety of behaviors. This persuasion might endanger their lives. Teens affected by gangs often use drugs and alcohol before reaching the legal age. This may develop into drug addiction, which can lead to health issues. Teenagers affected by gangs are more likely to drop out of school. These teenagers may begin to focus their emphasis on gangs rather than schoolwork. Young people may get attracted to join gangs by the money they may make via illicit means.
The Effect on Communities
Large communities, defined as those with a population of more than fifty thousand people, are the most vulnerable to gang activity. Residents worry that they, their families, schools, or businesses may become victims of theft and/or violence. Theft, adverse economic effects, vandalism, assault affect neighborhoods controlled by gangs. Gun violence, Illicit drug trafficking, and murder impact gang-infested neighborhoods too.
Biological Consequences
Violence’s biological impacts include effects on the brain, neuroendocrine system, and immunological response. These are becoming more recognized. Despair, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and risk of cardiovascular disease are among the consequences. The health implications of violence vary depending on the victim’s age and gender and the kind of abuse. People may be victims of various sorts of violence, and the health consequences can be severe.
Ruining Adolescent Transition
Gang involvement has a detrimental impact on the timing of developmental transitions into adulthood.
Male respondents who had been in a gang (adolescence) for a short or long period have a higher chance of cohabitation before marriage at the age of 22 than male respondents who had not been in a gang.
Long-term gang members had higher rates of insecure employment, school dropout, early pregnancy, and adolescent motherhood. Female gang members are more likely to go through inconvenient or difficult transitions, such as precarious work, teenage pregnancy, and early parenting. Former gang members, both male, and female were more likely to disclose adult arrests.
There is an indirect association between youth gang participation, street criminal involvement, and adult arrest. In particular, gang involvement has links to early adulthood transitions. This reflects shattered family ties and economic instability.
Toxic Masculinity
Gangs use violence to dominate and subordinate rival gangs to maintain their status as “superior” men in their communities. The reason is the absence of socioeconomic opportunities like recreational and cultural facilities, jobs, economic opportunities, and social networks.
There is an employment of high levels of violence to “prove” the masculinity of gang members. The results also show how the thought of young gang members about masculinity impacts gender-based violence.
Conclusion
A vicious loop exists between violence, hardship, and mental health issues. Substance misuse, for example, may lead to violence. The psychological trauma of violence can lead to poorer mental health and problems with school and career. As a result, the likelihood of later mental health issues, drug misuse, and violence rise. This has ramifications for individuals, families, communities, and society. It’s a vicious loop that must break as soon as possible. Gangs boost crime rates in neighborhoods and provide a terrible example for local children. They project an image of authority and respect while dropping out of school. They struggle with unemployment, drug abuse, and alcohol or end up in prison. There is fear due to the gang communities because of the damage they may inflict on others.
