VIOLENCE IN URBAN GANGS: STRUCTURAL CAUSES AND INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Violence in urban gangs is a social problem that has generated concern in many communities around the world. These criminal organizations have complex and often violent structures, which ends up resulting in a cycle of violence that is difficult to break. In this work, we will seek to investigate the structural causes that lead to the formation of urban gangs, as well as interventions to combat this phenomenon. We intend to identify the main factors that contribute to the creation and maintenance of these criminal organizations, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions. To achieve the proposed objectives, we conducted a literature review on the topic, seeking to identify the main theories that explain the formation of urban gangs, as well as the intervention strategies adopted in different contexts. Our results indicate that the causes of the formation of urban gangs are multifactorial, involving issues such as social exclusion, lack of opportunities, economic inequality, among others. Furthermore, we identified that the most effective interventions to combat this phenomenon are those that seek prevention, through public policies that promote social inclusion and access to opportunities for young people in vulnerable situations. Given the above, we can conclude that violence in urban gangs is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach. It is essential that interventions are evidence-based and prioritize prevention, promoting social inclusion and access to opportunities for young people in vulnerable situations. Furthermore, it is important that there is integrated work between the different spheres of government, civil society and public security institutions to effectively combat this phenomenon. We believe that only through comprehensive and effective public policies can we break the cycle of urban gang violence and promote peace in our communities.