Gang culture – a serious breakdown in social order
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Teenagers around the country are becoming increasingly reckless, which is alarming. Although this was once-urban problem, has now spread across most of the country. What does society think of youngsters who are involved in significant infractions because of a minor disagreement? The matter was examined in numerous quarters when the police operation against these perpetrators began, but the dialogue came to a complete halt at one point. The alarming news is that there are 72 heinous teen groups in the capital alone. They have a wide range of weapons at their disposal. Many of them are caught up in the political quagmire. Once upon a time, there was competition among the nation’s young people for various social welfare activities, and today a significant number of young people in the port- city are becoming involved in various wrongdoings by forming gangs.
In many nineteenth-century European countries, young men and women were regarded as ‘problems’, and conventional views held that there was a close relationship between ‘youth’ and ‘crime’.
The influence of gang violence and gang prominence has become a recent threat to younger generations and children. Its prominence is much higher in larger cities such as New York and Los Angeles but tends to be higher in the impoverished area. Not only is it an issue in the United States gang violence, and gang coercing has become prominent in most counties. This is especially so in counties which have fewer financial opportunities, causing younger generations to do whatever they can to provide for themselves or their families. In certain parts of the world such as El Salvador and Ethiopia it has become life or death whether children join a gang and many of them are forced into violence in fear that gangs may harm them and their families.
Juvenile delinquency occurs for various reasons depending on society and state, but some of the reasons are seen in almost all states; Such as broken families, discrimination, poverty, crisis of family and moral values etc. Alcohol, cigarettes, and other narcotics can readily influence adolescents. These ignorant leaders are well aware of the situation. Adolescents who come into contact with arms also begin to fantasize about being powerful. Gradually, they join the gang and follow the orders of their leaders. It has negative consequences as a result of current information technology; juvenile criminality is on the rise. They spend their days and nights glued to their phones, abandoning indoor and outdoor games and sports. As a result, their mental capacity and psychological state are deteriorating. Different teen-gangs are becoming more vicious every day. They’re attempting to get viral by threatening or killing other members of the gang. They are harming their lives as well as their families in this manner. Their parents or family members are completely unaware that their youngster is going off the rails and becoming a source of concern. A group of persons in the community uses these adolescents as mercenaries in addition to drug trading, kidnapping, and extortion. Along with eve-teasing, their names have been linked to a slew of other offences. This gang culture is spreading throughout the country’s borders, as well as in rural areas.
Moreover, gangs-impact not only affects the youth and children but also affects their families and living environment. Youth and children are the most vulnerable to gang recruitment, overdoses, and death because of how underdeveloped they still are. There are so many factors as to how gangs have a direct impact on youth and children the ones that have caused the most impact are how gangs have affected the way youth and children live, their mental health, sense of security, masculinity, and overall living conditions. Children should not have to fear death or getting beaten by opposing gangs, nor should they have to fear to serve the gangs they were forced to join. Because the youth are still at an age where their logical thinking is not concrete and solidified yet, gangs have an easier time convincing them to join and do as they told, despite the repercussions. Luckily, there are many more resources for families and youth trying to get out of gang affiliation and involvement safely. Some volunteers mentor children and youth with no mentor figure or need someone to help guide them in the right direction and avoid joining gangs. Being able to isolate and target the issue helps achieve what specific needs certain communities need to help eradicate gang involvement in minors.
Experts have warned that the problem of violence and crime extends beyond Motijheel Model School and College in Dhaka. The situation is reportedly dire in numerous schools across the capital, particularly in Uttara, Mirpur, and Mohammadpur. Juvenile gangs have infiltrated these schools, leading to a rise in various criminal activities, including extortion and even murder. The issue of juvenile gang violence gained significant attention in 2017 following the brutal murder of Adnan Kabir, a class eight student, by a gang of juveniles in Uttar Pradesh. Adnan was mercilessly beaten and hacked to death in the playground of Road No. 17, Sector No. 13, Uttara on the evening of January 6. Following the incident, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted a successful raid, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals, including gang leaders.
Various political parties actually patronize them. Moreover, there is an inadequacy in natural entertainment, it makes teenagers form gangs where they practice antisocial activities. Building awareness among parents is the key to solving this problem. Guardians involved in corruption and bribes are playing a role to turn teenagers and youths notorious. They are giving expensive smart phones and motorcycles to their young children. Many of the guardians also backed their sons even if they do crimes. As a result, these youths become more reckless.
It is the responsibility of social institutions and government officials to develop these children and adolescents as skilled human resources. But due to various inconsistencies in the family, society and the state, many children and teenagers from wealthy and poor families are compelled doing risky and getting involved in crime; Meanwhile, many teenagers middle-class and upper-class families are either deviated from a healthy life or getting involved in ‘gang culture’. There is no straightforward way out of this situation without any significant attention and social awareness campaign.
(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP).
