Are gangs in urban areas a primitive form of existence?

Question

Evolution says that we have evolved into intelligent beings. That our brains became larger (even though they are shrinking again). An explanation for this has been to utilise tools and to buid and that our brains became a form of defense against other animals and nature. Since we were able to think, plan, and rationalise, in other words, problem solve.

However, I have noticed in many urban areas, and lower income areas, that people tend to exist in the primitive ways of our ancestors, being territorial (the whole south side/east side thing that you hear in rap songs a lot), shooting for ridiculous reasons, proving self worth in physical strength and superior presence (the way an ape would when he beats his chest) and so on.

Could it be that lower evolved forms of humans exist among others?

Answer 1

Working in groups and having territorial boundries is in no way primitive... look at everything else you experience in your life. The US as a whole works together, has a National boundry, and even shoots other people over what many would consider a rediculous reason. We all live in groups and even if you may not realize it create boundries which we define as beloning to us or us belonging to it. And to say that proving yourself through physical strength is primitive... well thats ethnocentric, plus we let professional athletes do it all the time. Also gang members, and especially poorer communities live in a different culture than middle class or rich americans do, because of that they value things differently than those classes do, and as such are willing to fight over those values. Gang members and the poor are no geneticaly different than you, they are responding to the pressures created by their environment and culture. for more information please read the article "the Culture of Poverty"

Answer 2

Not as much primitive as much as moronic

Answer 3

Humans naturally revert back to primitive ways when they are pushed to the limits because that is how we survived through the many centuries we have been through.  It is much like how deserted people become cannabals because they are pushed to the limits and given the opporunity to live or die they chose to live.  Also look at how long gangs have been around, centuries, I mean what were the first human civilzations, were they not "gangs".  They banded together to stop other peoples from taking there things.So yes gangs are a primitive form of existence but it is working for their survival. isn't it?

Answer 4

No. It has nothing to do with physical evolution.

But it does have seomthing primal in explanation. It is a matter of srurvival why gangs form in the first place. Gangs are essentially tribes, and a common bond for people with a strength in numbers mentality. See it in prison especially.

However they often evolve themselves into a more criminal enterprise, and take on the workings of a corporation.

Answer 5

It is the only human form.

V (12-18 or so) --

adolescence ego-identity vs role-confusion peer groups, role models to be oneself, to share oneself fidelity, loyalty fanaticism -- repudiation

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/erikson....

Answer 6

No, I don't think it is.  It is a response to a feeling of being out of control of your circumstances.  Factory workers formed unions.  People over 50 join the AARP.  If you are in a life situation that you control or have alternatives then you are less likely to group together.  I think these youth see that they are in a go nowhere situation and act out.  They don't fear death because they figure they are going to die young anyway and if they live to be old it is going to be a nightmare existence. Many have mental problems that run in the family or learning problems from druggedup mothers.  No structure in their childhood rearing.  Look up the starting salary of social workers.  They have college degrees yet don't make enough to live on.  Those areas can't get good teachers because the areas are dangerous.  The government has thrown money at the problem for years only to get no return for the money.  Mental health is expensive because the good doctors want to get paid and the bad doctors can make things worst. In a free society you can't put controls on people in order to solve the problems.