The Authors’ Argument
The book “Youth Gangs in American Society” by Sharon Tracy, Randall Shelden, and William Brown argues that gangs have become critical part of the society. Different criminological theories “offer powerful insights into the origin, development, nature, operations, and solutions to these gangs” (Shelden, Tracy, & Brown, 2003, p. 23).
Governments should use broad-based strategies in order to find long-lasting solutions to the challenges associated with these American gangs. The book explains why the economic implications of these gangs are undeniable. Scholars and researchers can use different theories in order to understand the origin of these groups. A good example is the social disorganization theory. This understanding can produce new social policies and criminal justice practices in order to deal with this problem.
Information Presented by the Authors to Support their Arguments
According the authors, gangs have “become ubiquitous in the United States” (Shelden et al., 2003, p. 19). The authors also identify some of the major issues and factors encouraging the youth to join different gangs. According to Howell (2011, p. 48), “inequality, poverty, and injustice have contributed a lot to the American gang culture”. Gangs have engaged in different malpractices in different parts of the world (Shelden et al., 2003).
The authors believe strongly that such gangs reflect the American community. The economic impacts of these American gangs are also undeniable. The authors have used various theories to describe the issues associated with different gangs. Scholars can use different theories such as the social disorganization theory to understand the origin and nature of these gangs. This theory explains why notorious gangs have become common in every American city. The “economic inequality between the poor and the well-born explains why different gangs operate differently” (Shelden et al., 2003, p. 64).
The book explores “the use of unremittingly tough policies in order to deal with crime and youth gangs” (Shelden et al., 2003, p. 72). The book also examines how soft approaches can address this problem. The agreeable fact is that gangs have become a critical part of the mainstream culture. Failure to “identify a permanent solution to this problem will burden the country’s criminal justice system” (Shelden et al., 2003, p. 87). These gangs produce a lot of suffering and despair in the country.
Is the Above Information Convincing?
The above discussions are convincing because they analyze the history of social inequality in the United States. For instance, discrimination, injustice, and racism have remained common in the country for many decades. Such malpractices have remained a critical part of the American society (Howell, 2011).
The authors have used powerful theories in order to present their arguments. The authors have used accurate historical arguments in order to analyze the origin, development, and position of such gangs in America. The “evidence-based ideas presented in the book encourage more people to deal with youth gangs in the country” (Shelden et al., 2003, p. 72).
Comparison with Other Criminal Justice Books
I have read several books in order to understand the issue of criminal justice. This text offers new ideas that can encourage more people to analyze the history of different American gangs. The book also offers meaningful criminological theories that can deal with the above problem. For instance, the book “Gangs: A Guide to Understanding Street Gangs” also examines the issues associated with different youth gangs (Valdez, 2009). Many books examine how various strategies can deal with crime, child delinquency, and insecurity. This book becomes a relevant source of information.
Flow of the Book
The authors of the book have used a formal writing style. This approach encourages more individuals to read the book. The authors have selected the right words in order to deliver the best information to the reader. For instance, the book uses words such as “African Americans” instead of “Blacks”. The paragraphs and sentences flow in a professional manner. The organization of the book is also acknowledgeable. This fact explains why the book presents the best ideas and discussions to the reader (Shelden et al., 2003).
Style Elements and Clarity
The use of simple and formal words encourages more people to read every part of the book. The authors have used many chapters, figures, charts, diagrams in order to inform the reader about the targeted information. The words and sentences flow in a proper manner. The paragraphs flow smoothly thus delivering the right information to the reader. For instance, the authors begin by identifying the nature of different American gangs.
The book also analyzes the origins and impacts of such gangs (Shelden et al., 2003). This transition encourages more people to acquire the required information from the book.
Recommending to this Book to Other Scholars
In conclusion, I am recommending this book to other classes. This book is useful in “criminal justice system, child delinquency, social inequality, insecurity, and American gang culture” (Shelden et al., 2003, p. 98). I will also recommend this text to every person who wants to understand the issue of American gang culture.
Reference List
Howell, J. (2011). Gangs in America’s Communities. New York, NY: Sage Publications.
Shelden, R., Tracy, S., & Brown, W. (2003). Youth Gangs in American Society. Boston, MA: Cengage Brain.
Valdez, A. (2009). Gangs: A Guide to Understanding Street Gangs. San Clemente, CA: Law Tech Publishing.