Nip teen-gang culture in the bud

Teenagers are the future of a country. They will play a vital role in building the country in the future. However, many teenagers nowadays are involved in various criminal activities. Teen-gangs are emerging from across the country, and they are getting involved in various crimes, including robbery, murder, rape, sexual harassment, eve-teasing and turf war. They are also being used in the drug trade, extortion and other crimes. Many of them are engaging themselves in gang culture for dominating rivals and getting connected to power. When they grow up to adulthood, they become lords of the underworld. According to a recent survey, around 500 adolescent crime cases are filed every year across the country. The study also shows that the number of active teenage gangs in Dhaka city is over 80 now and this number is growing at an alarming rate. The number of such gang members is more than 2,000.

Teenage gang culture develops due to a lack of necessary guidance from the family, neighbours, educational institutions and society. Only legal action cannot curb such a culture. Rather, it should be dealt with placing it in a broader perspective, encompassing the legal and social aspects of the issue. Experts blame the weakening role of the family, a lack of moral lessons at home and in school, absence of recreational activities, social degradation and globalisation for the growth of the youth gang culture in the country.

The majority of young people want to lead decent lives and deliver something for their society. We need to give our young people hope, aspirations and the ability to get on and lead respectable and fulfilling lives. We all have a responsibility to stop youth violence from happening. As it starts from family, parents must spend quality time with their children so that they can understand existing social and family values. Families should also nurture human qualities in them. At the same time, it is important to get children involved with constructive and creative activities.

Nazifa Tasnim,

Student of Mass Communication and Journalism,

Jagannath University, Dhaka