The ways youths spend their free time undoubtedly influence the trajectory of their development. As opined by Kristen (2017), most of the influential youth encounters occur outside the school during their leisure time. Accordingly, recreational activities outside a school play a significant role in engaging youths in the learning process by offering opportunities for them to explore interests and further gain competency in the actual world skills. It is therefore important for parents or communities to spend their resources on developing recreational opportunities so that these youths can have an outlet to turn to rather than gangs.
As a mayor, I will focus most of the resources on developing recreational opportunities for youths rather than spending my time, effort, and money on examining gang cultures and holding them accountable for the crimes they committed. There are various reasons why I will channel resources on creating recreational opportunities. Firstly, developing recreational opportunities for youths will minimize boredom and keep them busy away from the streets where they can be easily influenced by others into gangs in search of leisure and recreation. According to the study conducted by Kristen (2017), many youths describe ‘gangbanging’ and violent acts to rival gang members as mere hunting and stalking prey. Other youths said that they joined gangs in search of protection and a means of protection as well as a sense of belonging that their families did not give them.
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Therefore, developing recreational opportunities as well will satiate the needs of these youths and channel these needs from gang involvement into more pro-social activities. Apart from occupying the time of youths, recreational opportunities can show them different ways of life. Recreational opportunities can also address rebelliousness and excitement that youth experiences in this stage. However, these activities have to be fun and attractive to them. Therefore, creating recreational opportunities should be promoted for youths to turn to instead of gangs.
Reference
Kristen. T. (2017). Thrill, Lack of Recreational Activities Attract Youth to Gangs. Crime and law . Retrieved from https://news.wttw.com/2017/05/31/study-thrill-lack-recreational-activities-attract-youth-gangs on 18th May, 2020.
