San Antonio College Library

This book examines different aspects of the ongoing debate on youth violence, including the seriousness of the phenomenon, root causes of violent behavior, methods of prevention, types of intervention programs, and modes of punishment.

Due to the extensive changes in family structure such as the increase of single parent families, a high divorce rate, and the decline of the extended family, support systems for young children are in decline. This decline disrupts the support systems' ability to shape children's prosocial values. Because of the fear of lawsuits and limited financial resources, community services and schools no longer provide the framework needed to balance changes...

Based on three years of field work with 99 active gang members and 24 family members, this study describes the attractiveness of gangs, the process of joining, their chaotic and loose organisation, and their members' activities.