American Gangs and English Football Hooliganism - Dissertation Example

Comparative Study of Social Congruency among American Gangs and English Football Hooliganism s Introduction and abrief history of football Hooliganism Over a long time now, the term hooliganism has been associated with football. All this happened since the existence of football. However, this has happened during the early years when football was referred like professional sporting activities. It also referred to as rough game since, at many times, there were repeatedly reported issues regarding troubles in several matches. The most common and largest rivalries that were in these matches happened between clubs. The clubs were from either the same city or the local area. Football hooliganism was evidence when trouble rose between these two clubs (Professor Emeritus University of Colorado at Boulder Robert M Regoli 2011). American gangs, on the other hand, have been creating an influence among the youths forcing them to join the gangs. It is because of this that a strong negotiation has been brought to the table. The negotiations are focused to identify congruence amongst the peer groups where they belong and contribute when there is the need to. One similarity between football hooliganism and American gang is that they both have related identities in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. American gangs are operated under a specific framework where operational, knowledge-related, and social identities are distinguished. This has happened recently when social aspects have appeared be closely related to identity congruence. However, there have been various consequences of incongruence especially where congruence is assumed and taken as not being fundamental. The following consequences have widely affected the gender and maturity of these group members of hooliganism and gangs. This study will outline, discuss, and compare these consequences relating to American gangs and football hooliganism. The study paper will not only compare and contrast these two groups, but it will also widely explain their similarity and society congruency (Howell August 2006). The study will also try to formulate possible remedies towards principles and techniques that can stabilize the society. Just to name some of the techniques that are said to control and even solve the issue of hooliganism is by forming collaborative learning conferences that change the reasoning of these groups’ members. This means that, it is easier to change the bad reputation of gangs and football hooliganism when the groups’ identities come together unlike with an individual. A brief history of American gangs In the early 20th century, youths in the community formed groups, which comprised of their fellow own-age cohorts (Nace 2005). History says that this started in the early Roman society. These groups at one time committed actions that were considered harmful and harmful. It was at this time that these groups were baptized as gang. However, we have seen that gangs were not in the first place created. They were first good youth groups which at one time harmful activities rather than good, making them be called gangs. It was at this time that gangs had been labeled different names such as bad kids, rowdies, troublemakers, and other negative titles. All of the named titles had one thing they shared; they tried to explain the bad character in these groups. Youth groups finally gained a new title, gangs, which were not referred to as an invention of the 21st century in American society (Glen R. Hanson Jones & Bartlett Publishers). These gangs are said to have existed in at least fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in Europe. There have been several descriptions regarding the life of England and prominent features of early Roman culture and society. These descriptions showed different methods and forms of theft and robbery that were related with these gangs. Other crimes that these gangs committed were extortion and rape. One report on these gangs showed that, during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, a couple of organized and planned gangs terrorized citizens in London city. These gangs were calling themselves the Hectors, Mims, Bugles, Dead boys and other names. The report says that, the gangs fought pitched battles while some of their members had colored ribbons on their bodies. Some people said that the purpose of these colored ribbons was for distinguishing various factions. Other gang operations took place in Germany, France, and America. These operations took place during middle Ages, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries (Glen R. Hanson Jones & Bartlett Publishers). During these times, youth groups are said to have fought rival groups, which were formed from other areas like schools. These rival groups are related to having committed a list of crimes. Troubles related to American gangs and football hooliganism However, these troubles were first reported in the early nineteenth century. A good example of how these troubles began was when fans from the two sides attacked each other. This is what is referred to as roughs. The troubles extended even to the referees and the players themselves. Studies say that, it was after the two world wars that football gained a different reputation. Football at this time gained a respectable reputation and at the same time, the crowd violence was reduced. It was hard to wipe out the crowd violence at this time, but instead, it was reduced with time. Records say that it was until the early 1960 that hooliganism increased again making it be a serious problem especially in the media (Association 2011). Just to name some of the issues that lead to this hooliganism was; the high rate of juvenile crime rates, future uncertainty, as well as new movements. A good example of these movements is the Teddy boys. The extent of this hooliganism is that it has caused the existence of overriding themes that have brought racism in the society. It is because of this that the situation of society congruency has emerged. The society has partially affected by this hooliganism such that it has even manifested itself in different states like Notting Hill disturbances. Football fields, however, have been identified as one spot where fights and troubles take place. It has been because of this identification that has made football hooliganism take a clear and sensible structure. The structure mainly refers to various group structures that have been identified in the football state. Similarly, American gangs have been faced several troubles conflicts. Various conflicts and troubles are formulated and structured under a contemporary research on diverse society arrangements. One important phenomenon to mention on American gangs is related to its effect on classical economic theories, which determine the level of profit and market operations (Storr 2013). Different people have argued on the emergence of these groups. Some say that, these groups must have emerged from working class especially in housing estates of the big cities. Football hooliganism has been on the rise especially because of the loose alliances formed within young men during the match days. The alliances are designated to occupy the terraces behind that are behind the goals in the stadium. This has brought development especially in the control of troubles related to local matches where the two sides are likely to confront their oppositions. Maybe, it can be a good prove to mention that this has been a good and strong step for handling football hooliganism. This has been greatly achieved especially when a network of rival gangs was built. The network was spread all over the world with its main aim to bring fights in the football grounds mainly during the football matches. Recently, football hooliganism has experienced some changes. One of the current changes is the idea of moving fights and troubles out of the football stadiums. This occurs when these groups from the two playing teams come up with a specific agreement on where to meet outside the stadiums either before or after the match (Sánchez-Jankowski 1991). Although football hooliganism has changed over the recent past, one thing that has been introduced in this hooliganism is “a bit of laugh.” This has made it possible to reduce racism and violence in the society. The facts the rival groups have themselves changed out the reputation of football hooliganism, the society have positively been advantaged. Activities like verbal abuse of opposition have contributed to triggering fights thereby leading to hooliganism. To a certain extent, this has acted as the violent hardcore of troubles amongst rival groups leading to fights. However, several changes were experienced in 1990 during the introduction of all-seater stadia (Scott Cummings 1993). Because of the introduction of all-seater stadia was after the Hillsborough’s disaster. It was after this new move that lead to almost kicking out hooliganism out of football stadiums. One challenging this was that even at this particular time, the hardcore of hooliganism still remained. Hardcore suggested that violence still existed, but it was outside football grounds. Arguments from different individuals have blamed the modern technology as one reason it has been hard to reduce and eliminate football hooliganism. The reason behind this is that, mobile phones have on the late been used as the main weapon of organizing, planning, and triggering football hooliganism. The same mobile phones are used to reconcile and reinforce the two groups. Research states that any time one hears of fights in the football match, there are higher chances that there is someone behind on his or her mobile motivating other hooligans to come and join the fights. Society Congruency Among American Gangs And English Football Hooligans If one were told to talk about gangs in the recent past, the report would have given a simple and very short. This is because gangs were not known by many and had a little in the society. The term gangs comprise of even football hooliganism only that football hooliganism concentrates more with football. An American gang refers to those groups in a community or society that vandalize and bring riots in the society. When one at the current impact of gangs in our society, it can take days to discuss them. There are concerns that one has to discuss when talking about impact of gangs in our community. I am going to give a list of these concerns (Randall Shelden 2003). 1. The harm of gangs to our children- many children in the society have been pushed to drug addiction, arrest by authorities, school failure, premature death, family disruption, incarceration and even permanent injuries to the bodies. All those are either short-term or long-term consequences to the health of our children. Gangs make the youths live with fear of never gaining their safety once they are out in those gangs. The worst thing is that when these children have joined the gangs, they expose their parents and friends to psychological and emotional trauma, injury and at other times death. The worst thing about gangs is that they destroy the future of our children. This has affected the society well being by a large percent. Children are considered as the potential inheritors of the society values and beliefs. 2. Gangs provide illegal and deviant behaviors especially when the environment fails to improve upon these gangs. This has made these gangs come up with techniques and methods of avoiding detection in the society. On the other hand, football hooliganism is easily detected since it openly brings up riots by either abusing or throwing of the stones to the opposition. However, the two football hooliganism and the gangs portray bad behaviors thereby indicating a deviant environment. 3. The members of these gangs reinforce antisocial, deviant, and illegal behavior among themselves. This promotes the socially irresponsible values, attitudes, and even beliefs. Society stability is affected by these traits leading to increased violence rather than society peace. This reinforcement has been spotted in both groups (football hooliganism and American gangs). The objective is that, members of the two groups are very antisocial and engage in illegal behaviors. 4. The rate increase in the number of gang members, in America is astonishing. The numbers of gangs in America have in the recent decades been recorded with a drastic change in increase. According to studies done by different people, have shown that, over the last thirty years, the number of gang members in the United States have recorded an increase rather than decrease. This is similar to the number of football hooliganism recorded. What makes this be a concern is that, the higher the number of gangs, the higher the number of troubles, chaos, roughs, and society security and safety. Although the numbers of gangs have increased over the last thirty years, the gangs have not spread out to every part of America. The reason behind this, is that gangs are not found in everywhere, but only in those areas where majority America citizens live; for example large cities and counties. 5. Another concern that relates the two groups (football hooliganism and American gangs) is the question of, which gender should be followed when it comes to solving the issue of gangs? According to reports regarding gangs and football hooliganism, males are not the only ones involved in these gangs, but also females have also started to get involved in these groups. For instance, in the early times, women were not football fans because they had an impression of football being a men’s game. At that time, football hooliganism and gangs involved only men. The fact that this has now changed; it has triggered a signal warning that the impact of American gangs and football hooliganism is now spreading out to our population. If this is not stopped, then ten years to come, we shall have a collapsed society where almost everyone will be a gang member. American gangs in the community and society American gangs have been considered as disturbing the society. These gangs affect the community well being and especially the youth. Studies reveal that communities with these gangs are at many times anticipated by riots. Not only riots, but also flying stones at every time. Gangs in community deny a peace and harmony in these communities. Riots create fear and an indefinite safety for the society. The same riots also affect the minds of the youth and children in terms of distraction, curiosity, and means of influence. Gangs stop and prevents families from moving into the community. It becomes very hard especially when these communities become chaotic such that, no one has a guarantee of his own security. By this, it means that any potential individual with a business idea and plans to invest in that community is discouraged. These gangs keep off important ideas away from the community leading to that community being considered dormant or stagnant in development. Other gangs are held behind bars. The gangs are referred to as prison gangs. These gang members were arrested because of breaking the law. They might have been gang members or arrested due to individual mistakes. There are also chances that prisoners from gangs while in the prison. However, the main challenge to the society is that these prison gangs are one day out to the community when their jail period is over. The worry of the community members is that, these gangs continue to terrorize, vandalize, and bring troubles in the society. It is as if these prison gangs take the pride of the community. Some people have recommended that state’s penal system should be changed because it seemed like the jail period does not change the traits of these gang members. Instead, gang members are said to come to the society to do more harm. Other people say that the gang member in prison waits for their time to come so that they revenge to the community. Some of the recommendations by the community members are that, penal system should make the prison life be very undesirable and challenging such that no one would ever imagine or want to end there. That way, maybe some of the gang members can change up their minds. This is because jail life has been made “so sweet” that no one is afraid to go to jail. Let us now focus on the effects of American gangs in the society. When gangs are mention in several American societies, what comes in the minds of many Americans is the issue of their own security. This is because; gangs vandalize apartment complexes, which directly affects the society stability. The core reason behind it being because this damage by the gangs it brings down the price of these properties. It has become a big challenge to solve this issue of gangs in our society. The fact that many students in America do not pay enough attention in class leads them to these disturbing gangs thus increasing their number and strength. The reason behind this, is that many students find it easier to join the gangs than concentrating in class studies. Research by different school administration has revealed several reasons behind this. The research pointed at the teacher-student relationship as one of the key causes of this radicalization. The research found that, apart from many students attaining good grades in class, these students have good interaction with their teachers. The studies showed that, student involved in the gangs are not likely to listen to their teachers. It is because of this that State security and other international security troops have found it hard to control these gangs as well as arresting the gang members. There has been an argument on how it was possible to control the issue of gangs in our community as well as society. This argument states it was due to inadequate positive contribution of community that led to these gangs becoming stronger. This made these gangs establish a name for their groups. This was because gangs’ members have a destructive force over non-gang members and communities at range. This has challenged any upcoming anti-gang group and at the same time helping the gangs to remain stronger. This explains why it is hard to stop gangs and football hooliganism in America. This destructive force has acted as a pillar of their actions. This is what has made the members of these groups have no fear when causing riots and troubles. This study cannot be ending without mentioning the impact of football hooliganism and gangs on social costs. These costs range from anti-riot department to the legal systems. However, the impacts of hooliganism and gangs are on police, probation officers, juvenile officers and other specialists involved in the justice system. The above-mentioned impacts of gangs and hooliganism have resulted to more than one consequence to justice practitioners. Among the common consequences include; the increased rate of potential for causing harm or injury, increased stress, and even exposure to temptations. By temptations I mean, possibility of these practitioners involves themselves with corruption and graft or even at other times exceeding one’s power making one become abusive. Taking the example of an individual arrested and charged with football hooliganism and another arrested and charged with being a involved with an illegal gang, the two individuals can be a burden to a justice practitioner especially when trying to drive out a lawful judgment. This is because of the time needed to handle these two individuals. This long time prevents the practitioners from handling other important tasks. Conclusion After the study above, it is good to conclude that, the two groups (football hooliganism and American gangs) are related and have several similarities as earlier mentioned. The two groups have either directly or indirectly affected our society. However, there have been moves and actions taken to solve these issues regarding the two groups. The society and community should be friendly to its residents. That is why gangs and hooliganism should be eliminated or minimized in the society. Modern technology for instance has been used to monitor football hooliganism. Apart from that, the legal administration has also intervened with strict regulations on whoever causes hooliganism in the stadium. Somehow, this has minimized the number of hooliganism cases reported. Football hooliganism, earlier known as English Disease long time ago. Over the years, it has developed and disseminated into the various continents. Since America and the British are distant cousins, this disease has been deep rooted into the American society too (Cawthorne 2012). Hooliganism has far much more extreme effects on the society. It has also aroused international concern due to its rapid spread. This phenomenon often results into competitive fights between fans and far much dangerous when it occurs between different hooligan groups. Such fights mostly results into vandalism, attacks on the police and other fans. Racial abuse is more pronounced during such fights. Football hooliganism as discussed earlier not only takes place in the stadium where the football is being played but also extends this grudge outside and cause havoc in the streets. Some of these organizations are highly structured and thought to act as paramilitary groups having ringleaders. The leaders organize and coordinate riots, which have a detrimental effect on the society. This has raised concern in various governments and there has been subsequent devising of ways to curb football hooliganism. Changes have been introduced into the police force to prevent and lower the levels of hooliganism and riots. Earlier police forces had a reputation of using excessive force to control football matches. This can be reduced by integrating police intelligence into these organizations and closely monitoring the activities. Surveillance and CCTV cameras have been put in place in the stadiums (Steve Frosdick 2013). This is to instill fear within the hooligan groups as they can be facially recognized when they conduct riots. There is also the great need for the government to work closely with the football clubs. This can be achieved through various projects whose main function is to bring together the authorities, football clubs, and the hooligan groups. American gangs, on the other hand, are identified groups, which manifest themselves mainly in the cities. They can, however, be found in the smaller cities, as well. Gangs are usually organized criminal groups and mainly reside in the middle class or the lower grade parts of the city. In a society as discussed, they have caused fear to run within the residents and the public. It has also been identified that many young people are joining these gangs. This is so regardless of the gender, they continuously involve themselves with violent offenses especially during the period when they are active members of such (Guilianotti 2013). These gangs have been associated with deleterious effects in the cities, which lowered the economic integrity. This happens because of the large numbers of reported homicides in these cities. Most of the gang groups are targeting the youths. This has led to the introduction to drug use and poor performance in academics. The youth involve themselves in crimes that often lead to arrests and convictions, which ultimately shatter their lives. Measures have been put forward to control the spread of these crimes and expansion of the gangs. The community plays a vital role in controlling of the gangs through active crime watch. Reporting suspicious activities and people looking out for each other greatly discourages development of gangs. The local authorities together with other sectors of law enforcement should also be on the lookout. It has been shown that many police officers are afraid to involve themselves with gangs and do not act even if they witness those crimes. Reshuffles on the police department and special training of the police officers can be a good prevention method. Gang suppression models offer crucial guidelines and strategies to the community. This helps in the addressing of the issues concerning gangs while at the same time combating the crimes effectively in the neighborhood. References Armstrong, Gary. Football Hooligans: Knowing the Score. Washington: Bloomsbury Academic, 1998. Association, Federal. "Football Hooliganism." POLITICS.CO.UK. November 2011. http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/football-hooliganism (accessed April 20, 2014). Cawthorne, Nigel. Football Hooligans. Capetown: Constable & Robinson, 2012. Eric Dunning, Patrick Murphy, John M. Williams. 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