[legion]

gaijinda,

That's an interesting explanation.

Can I propose that we both might be right? I think what you said explains what people are pre-disposed to joining gangs. What I said explains some of the attraction (easy money, instant respect). Put a willing group of people together with an attractive alternative to their parents' lifestyle and you get gang members.

Maybe the solution would have to be two-fold:

1) Eliminate the ability to fund gangs with drugs, as I stated above.

2) Give the people who are pre-disposed to entering gangs a realistic alternative.

I'm not sure how to accomplish the second thing. Any thoughts gaijinda? I would think any real solution would have to open up access to moving up the social ladder. Maybe a revision of our imigration policy would help? I'm not in favor of welfare--it's my belief this just creates motivation to stay where you are in an economic sense.