Americans should have no trouble understanding how it is that the “slippery slope” concept makes for a compelling argument against the use of a gang injunction – unlike the spurious use of the slippery-slope argument against the adoption of universal background check for gun ownership. Nonetheless, your article seemed lacking for not having explored the slippery-slope concept further.
Even more disturbing was your suggestion that solving the issues of poverty, educational inequities (whatever that means), and lack of opportunity are the keys to reducing gang involvement. You should know that boys, regardless of their backgrounds, turn to gangs first and foremost to fulfill their innate desire for the kind of male bonding, male acceptance, male acknowledgement, and male support that is so seriously absent from our prevailing culture.
Divorce, which leave boys without dads, is around 50 %. Step-dads are now considered an added risk factor for boys. And our schools have become increasingly “feminized.” It is no small wonder that there are so many millions of boys who are finding it difficult to adequately fulfill their male needs.
Communities need to put their money where they can truly get the most bang for the buck, and that is into specific, proactive youth programs that strive, above all, to provide boys with male-oriented instruction, male mentoring, and male-oriented support systems.