Page 18 - Social Norms Survey

gangsterism and “badmanism” in these communities and the display and cleaning
of weapons in front of boys may be part of their “grooming.” Added to all this is the
tendency of the community to judge young people. The young adult groups all

speak of this.

4. Lack of employment is causing anger and deep frustration among young men and
women in the community. They experience a lack of opportunities, which many

see as stemming from a class and racial bias which “profiles” them. Some of these

young people leave school with six academic subjects and high expectations for
employment with this achievement. They find, however, that they are only able to
get a job in the hotel industry with long working hours and low wages. With the view

that man must be the provider deeply embedded from childhood, unemployment

and lack of money lead some men with families to feel that their only option is to
engage in illegal activities. Even without these pressures, it is likely that some will
turn to crime if there is no hope. Illegality, especially scamming, then becomes very

attractive.

5. The youth from one community in St. James made it clear that they have taken a
fatalistic approach to their future. This group condones, and has virtually legitimized,

criminal activities. For them violence is deeply embedded in the culture and most

have decided they have to be involved in criminality to survive. It could be solved
but not by them, not under this present unjust “system.” In St. James, they argue that
a man therefore has to adapt because of this system. Sometimes the youth find

themselves involved in a war that has been going on for 10 or 15 years “an we haffi

grow inna it.” Their perception is that they have no choice.

6. A number of reasons are given to explain why youths join gangs

• Peer pressure. Four of the six groups, including the PMI group, suggested this.

• Feelings of vengeance carried by some youth even from their childhood days:
for example against their father. This was the other reason suggested by the PMI
group. These feelings propel the culture of reprisal.

• Gangs offer young persons who may feel they do not “fit” into society, a space

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