Failing at home: Gangs are a substitute for broken families

Jeremy Wallace

Much has been said about the recent gang violence in Chattanooga. While a great deal of attention has been given to this issue, relatively little has been said about the true underlying cause of the problem.

I am convinced that for this problem to improve we cannot simply react to each individual situation that arises, but must deal with the root cause.

So what is the cause?

To state it plainly: Gangs are simply substitute families. As the family unit increasingly disintegrates, gang involvement will continually increase. Teens are looking for acceptance and anything that resembles love. When they don’t find this at home they go searching elsewhere. Teenagers need accountability and responsibility. When they are not given this at home, they look elsewhere.

Teens need a sense of community. When they can’t find that in their homes, they fill that need in other ways. Teens are looking for support. They need to know that someone has got their back and will be there for them. If this need is not met at home, they go searching.