Factors Leading Youth To Gang 1 - UW-Stout

[Pages:55]Factors Leading Youth To Gang 1 FACTORS LEADING HMONG YOUTH TO JOIN GANG

By Kevin C. Lor

A Research Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master of Education Degree

With a Major in Guidance and Counseling-Mental Health & K-12

Approved: Two Semester Credits

___________________ Investigation Advisor

The Graduate College University of Wisconsin-Stout

September, 2003

The Graduate College University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751

Abstract

Factors Leading Youth To Gang 2

Lor (Last Name)

Kevin (First)

C. (Initial)

Factors Leading Hmong Youth to Join Gangs (Title)

Guidance and Counseling-Mental Health & K-12, Dr. Louis Milanesi, 9/03 , 52

(Graduate major)

(Research Advisor) (Date) (Page)

American Psychological Association Manual Used in this Study

This paper examines some of the elements that lead youth to join gangs. A questionnaire

developed by the investigator was distributed to gang members and at-risk Hmong youth in two

northern states. This questionnaire was developed in an attempt to assess some of the factors

that have a high probability of leading youth to join gangs to compensate for what is lacking in

Hmong youths' life.

A 12-item questionnaire was developed and distributed to at-risk Hmong youths residing

in two northern states. The questions were examined by calculating the percentage of males and

females responding to different targeted areas. The questions were also examined to determine

the internal validity between male and female subjects in responding to the different targeted

areas.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Factors Leading Youth To Gang 3 I would like to thank all those people involved in helping me finish my research. First and foremost, I would like to thank my research advisor, Dr. Louis Milanesi, for his patience and dedication to helping me complete my thesis. Second, I would like to express my deep appreciation to both Dave Schibline and Jeff Jenswold for their willingness to help. They both were great mentors who were incredibly patient and understanding throughout the whole process Third, I would like to thank my brother, Tou, for believing in me and always giving me positive encouragement. He has remained a constant source of support and encouragement through thick and thin. Fourth, I would like to thank my girlfriend for her tireless effort and dedication in helping me during the data collection. All of your contributions, support, and encouragement are greatly appreciated. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank the UW-Stout Graduate College and Research Promotion Services for the student research grant. The grant helped cover some of my travel expenses and the duplication costs for this study.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Factors Leading Youth To Gang 4

Title Page

1

Abstract

2

Acknowledgements

3

Table of Contents

4

Chapter 1: Introduction

6

Statement of the Problem

11

Definition of Terms

12

Chapter II: Review of Literature

14

Definition of Gang

14

Gang Structure and Membership

16

Gang Initiation

19

Individual

19

Low Self-Esteem

20

Family

21

School

24

Neighborhood

24

Economy

25

Media and Politic

26

Intelligence

26

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Asian Gang Chapter III: Methodology Population and Subjects Instrumentation Data Collection Data Analysis Limitations Chapter IV: Results Findings Tables Chapter V: Conclusion Recommendations References

Factors Leading Youth To Gang 5 27 32 32 32 32 34 34 35 35

36-46 47 48 51

Chapter I

Factors Leading Youth To Gang 6 Introduction A dramatic increase in gang activity during the past decade caught most everyone by surprise and left many unprepared to speak in an informed way to the challenge it posed. However, violence in America is nothing new. Even before the Nation declared its independence, outlaw groups with names like "The Sons of Liberty" formed in several colonial towns to express their opposition to the British rule (Brantley & DiRosa, 1994). As the nation grew, gangs emerged in the large urban centers that developed in the mid-west and on the west coast. Cities as diverse as Chicago and San Francisco have long histories of gang-related crimes (Di Rosa, 1994). European immigrants came to the United States in the early 1900s to seek a better life and better future. These immigrants lacked the skills necessary to be productive in the mainstream and were exploited in the labor force and faced poverty and discrimination. The second generation of these immigrants were faced with cultural and identity crises. They then formed their own gangs for support and protection because they did not fit into the mainstream society (Wang, 1994). This is a pattern with every wave of immigrants who came to the United States. They all faced similar experiences of poverty and discrimination. After a couple of generations in America, most of the immigrants assimilated into the mainstream; and the problems became less severe. In the early 1900s, the United States government established immigration priority and granted many Chinese naturalization in America when it received a flood of Chinese immigrants

Factors Leading Youth To Gang 7 into the United States. The number of Chinese immigrants grew dramatically in the 1960s as a result of this new law. Large cities where immigrants settled were not prepared to assist with the problems these immigrants brought with them. Many of the Chinese youths experienced racial tension in the form of unequal treatment and opportunity; therefore, crime and gang involvement became a serious problem for the communities. Many of those Chinese youths started to form social support groups but later became involved in prostitution, drug dealing, and other criminal activities (Spergel, 1992).

Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the United States has received over a million refugees from the Southeast Asian countries. These immigrants had very little education and limited labor skills. These refugees found themselves in a strange society where they were not accepted due to their unique physical characteristics and their lack of productive labor market skills. One such group of refugee from one of those Southeast Asian countries is the Hmong. The Hmong is an ethnic minority group that helped the United States fight the spread of communism during the Vietnam War. In 1975, the communists won the war in Vietnam.

The Hmong were persecuted in Laos because of their involvement with the United States Central Intelligent Agency (CIA). Many fled to neighboring Thailand to avoid being persecuted. As the years went by, many Hmong decided to settle in different countries, such as the United States, France, Australia, and many other western countries. The largest group of Hmong settled in the United States. The three states that received the most number of Hmong refugees are California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Factors Leading Youth To Gang 8 Historically, the Hmong people lived in a society where there was very restricted educational opportunity for Hmong children. For many Hmong boys to have opportunities to learn to read and write, they had to go to far away educational settings. While boys were encouraged by parents to pursue high levels of education, the Hmong girls were expected to forego their education to take care of the family and the farms. As Hmong re-settled in the United States and other countries, educational opportunities improved for Hmong children. Hmong parents continued to have high expectations for their children. However, some Hmong children were not prepared to start school, because the family did not speak English in the home. Many children struggled in school, because many Hmong parents simply did not have the necessary skills to prepare their children for school. Many Hmong children also struggled in learning how to balance the two very different cultures and values on a daily basis. Those Hmong children who had supportive parents who understood what they were going through seemed to be better off educationally than the rest. Hmong children who had supportive parents with a good social support system also seemed to have a better footing toward pursuing their dreams. Hmong people consider love, respect, and helping each other to be the highest values in their society. Traditionally, Hmong children are taught from an early age to respect their elders and authority figures. Those not following the norms and expectation are viewed as unwise and are regarded as self-centered individuals. The decisions of an individual are to be reflected on the well being of the whole group rather than an individual interest.

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