Gangs in the Bahamas

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS        

Introduction ............................................................................................

Causes of Gang .......................................................................................

Effects of Gang Affiliation .......................................................................

Solution to Gangs....................................................................................

Prevention for Parents .............................................................................

Conclusion ..............................................................................................

Acknowledgement ..................................................................................

Bibliography ............................................................................................

INTRODUCTION

        Gangs of mattered the art of manipulation to attract potential recruits.  They wear the latest fashion trends, throw the hottest parties and drive the coolest cars.  They appear to have the perfect lifestyles to a very young person who’s looking to fit in somewhere.  They offer an image of cool that has been glorified by the media and entertainment industry.

        My name is Jaden Johnson and I am a ninth grade student at the great A.F. Adderely Junior High School and I can say gang violence is one of my country’s major issue facing the youths today.

        There are four major gangs in the Bahamas.  They are One Order, Fire and Theft, Mad Ass and Zoe Pound.  They are wrecking havoc on this beautiful archipelago.  Young men are joining these gangs to compensate for families they never had and to feel a sense of belonging.  Many of them are from single parent homes.

        Almost every time you turn on or read the National Newspaper a young man is gunned downed in the inner city communities.  Their ages range from 13- 18 years old.  The baby to the breast is not safe anymore.  A eight month old baby in Bain Town was shot and killed.  

        A few months ago in the Yellow Elder Community two teenagers were shot to the head trough a track road a 13 and 18 year old.  The thirteen year old was a honor roll student at A.F. Adderely could you imagine.

        Mothers are weeping like never yet before for their young sons.  Day after day a young man is gunned down never to return home again.  When will they learn to work out their differences and walk away or is their egos more important than their lives.

CAUSES OF GANG VIOLENCES        

        One of the major issues facing my country today is gang violence.

        The four major gangs in the Bahamas are Zoe Pound, One Order, Fire and

Theft and Mad Ass.  They are recruiting even younger gang members.  They are

now going into the primary schools to recruit.

        Mr. Carlos Reid, A former Gang Leader, said that there are about 20,000

persons enlisted in the gangs I just mentioned above and their ages ranges from

13-35 years old.  Do you see the state our country is in, that is the majority of our

youths.  

        The reason these thugs go after the younger members because at their age

they are much more impressionable and easier to train.  You can get them to do

anything you say.  Persons see “Gangs” as this glorious thing when in reality it is

not.  They watch gangs on television and they see the women, the drugs, the

money, the prestige,  the fame ,but that is only one side of it.  Do they really

understand there is two side to anything we undertake in life.  Do they know the

danger, the pain, the hurt,  mother after mother crying for their sons.  

               There are numerous reasons why persons get involved in gang activities.  

Many came from fatherless homes, some endured child abuse, peer pressure,

poverty, for a sense of belonging and lastly lack of Education.

        Many youths are growing up in a single parent home where ther is an

absentee father.  The mothers sometime have to work two and three jobs just to

make ends meet and to ensure that the bills are paid, children are clothed, food is

on the table and their children are taken care of in every aspect of their lives.  

The children use this time while the mother is away to join these gangs .    

The gangs give them a sense of belonging and i guess become a father to the

fatherless.  They get to meet other young people like themselves.  They began to

feel a sense of belonging and family like.  But unlike a good parent they do not

instil morals and values in these children they do the opposite.  They teach them

how to steal, plot, lie and kill to get want they want.

        Peer pressure is another reason why children are joining these ruthless

gangs.  It can stem from those kids who are constantly being bullied and taunted

in school s by other student decide to join gangs as a way of protection.  Their

mindset is once I am apart of this gang I become untouchable or they will be

repercussions for those that try to attack me.  This is sad but unfortunately this is

an  increasing reason for why kids are joining up with these gangs.

        The overall average results for the past years in the Bahamas has been a D