Our World

Caribbean/Latin A. Youth Crime

In both Latin America and the Caribbean, youth crime is on the rise. In such poor, developing areas many young teenagers enter dangerous and deadly lifestyles. When denied access to education, a home, or decent jobs these kids choose the first option that comes knocking.
According to one article, "Youth gangs are mushrooming, especially in Latin America and African countries, where rapid urbanization is straining families' ability to meet the social and economic needs of young people." Sadly, so-called "street kids" resort to gangs to survive and recieve a sense of belonging and importance. Once recruited, a profitable system of drug trade takes over. In Brazil, children as young as 10 make up the 20,000 drug delivering jobs. Not only that, but the salary rewarded is usually far larger than their own parents! This adds to their feeling of self worth and accomplishment.

With gang activity, there also comes widespread violence.
Did you know 29% of homicides in Latin America are among youth 10-19 years of age. In Venezuela, 95% of homicide victims were male, and 54% of them were under age 25. Another alarming fact is that over the past years, youth crime in brazil has increased by 77%. This was most likely the effect of surging firearms numbers within the country. Latin America's urban areas have the highest gun ownership rates, 19.7%.

I think that with crime and violence out of control, something has to be done. If action isn't being taken, more and more teens will be walking into the hands of gangs.
*Check out these sites for more

YOUTH CRIME

VIOLENCE RISING

posted by Anonymous @ 3/08/2006 05:25:00 PM