Inside the Neighborhood: Salvadoran Street Gangs' Violent Solidarity(Barrio adentro: La solidaridad violenta de las pandillas)Almost 10 years after signing the peace agreement, there has been an exponential increase in social violence and delinquency in El Salvador. The study behind this book tries to shed light on this phenomenon. ObjectiveOne of the objectives of this study was to call attention to the kinds of activities in which these young people participate, as well as analyzing the information collected. This permits not only a better description of the aggression and victimization practiced and the severity that both genders suffer, but also of their environment and experiences within the gang. It is believed that this information will help formulate more accurate public policies. MethodologyThe researchers trained ex-gang members to interview current gang members. First they conducted a pilot test containing 75 questions grouped by certain categories. Then it was revised and feedback was given by the NGO Homies Unidos, an non-violent youth group. The pilot test was given to 50 gang members who live in different metropolitan areas of San Salvador. The data from the pilot test was used to make changes in the instrument. Then the actual questionnaire was administered, giving 938 valid surveys. ResultsThis study reports findings on juvenile gangs in the metropolitan area of San Salvador, El Salvador. The top three reasons for joining gangs are hanging out, (2) family problems, and (3) peer pressure. Of the gang members surveyed who always abuse drugs, the drugs of choice are marijuana, alcohol and crack, respectively. The most popular reason for leaving a gang among men is they want a change; and for women, family. Another important finding uncovered in this study was why youth join and remain in gangs. There are both internal and external reasons for joining. The external factors are unfavorable life conditions, which encompass poverty, social marginalization, overcrowding, changes in social and community fabric, lack of access to social and public services, unemployment, the inability of schools to handle high-risk youth, exposure to community and social violence, and a culture where violence is prevalent. The internal factors encompass those related to the home, such as neglect, lack of quality bonding between parent and child, witnessing and/or being a victim of domestic violence, and a favorable perception of corporal punishment as a practice. These factors lead youth to join gangs, in that they believe they have something to gain. They also believe that hanging out will result in earnings and increase their access to drugs. Joining gangs guides youth to learn the ways of the street, which exposes them to becoming both aggressors and victims. It also increases their drug use, thus creating an unhealthy lifestyle for them. Drug use increases violence. Social learning from the street and drug abuse leads to what they consider legitimate acts of violence, such as creating violent situations among themselves. This leads to an increase of deaths among gang members, as well as an increase in violence against female gang members. For a diagram outlining the different risk factors that lead to young people's choice to associate in gangs, their own perceived reasons for doing so, and the obligations implicit for the solidarity they find in gang membership, click here. Based on findings from a this study, the generalizations it makes can be usefully applied to the rest of the Region. (PowerPoint, 24 KB) ConclusionThe situation worsens in San Salvador, which is why there needs to be a greater commitment to making fundamental changes in social and public health policy with respect to youth and gangs. Executive SummaryGreater detail can be found in the executive summary (two pages, PDF, 26 KB).E-BookThe full text of the book (ISBN 99923-813-2-9) will be available in downloadable PDF files via this website. |
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The Pan American Health Organization Promoting Health in the Americas |