Article Review

John Donovan (2018) What Is MS-13 and Why Is It So Scary? Retrieved on February 11, 2019, from https://people.howstuffworks.com/what-is-ms13.htm

This article is intended to provide more information about the characteristics and origins of the MS-13 gang by compiling what is known about the group (gang profile). The article discusses the origins of the MS-13, its characteristics, proliferation, norms, as well as involvement in criminal activities. John Donovan also explains the recent policies applied by law enforcement in an attempt to combat this gang.

Recently, the MS-13 gang got considerable attention from the media and policymakers in the US. Recent media reports indicate that the gang is one of the most deadly dangerous groups in the country. From the article, it is no doubt that the group is one of the most dangerous in the US and today, they are continuing to gain popularity. Even though they have received a large amount of media attention, little academic literature is written about them. Looking at the group’s motto, “rape, kill, control” (John, 2018),I agree with this article that it is a dangerous group that must be appropriately dealt with in accordance to the law. Otherwise, it will continue to terrorize, murder, rape, and maim the people of America.

The article did so well in describing the gang and its characteristics. Besides, it explained how dangerous it is and what the law enforcement agencies can do to reduce its spread. I agree with the fact that incorporating the members of the group into social institutions would be a better way of breaking down the gang. In this article, it is suggested that the government need to show the members how to make money by teaching them skills and getting them jobs“…Get them into steady relationships and into being parents. Show them ways to make money by teaching them skills and finding them jobs” (John, 2018). This brings my general feeling that the media and the law enforcement agencies’ depiction the gang as a much structured global criminal organization is incorrect and does not reflect the actual story behind it.The author could expand more on why there is a need to teach the members how to earn their own money and give them employment. This is the point of weakness of the article. Research should focus on why street gangs originate from low-income minority regions, providing an opportunity for young individuals facing exclusion to employment and education. Many members of the group tend to come from new cities because of local aspects such as high levels of unemployment. The government, therefore, needs to factor this into consideration because without trying to solve the unemployment and lack of education issue, their efforts to break down this group could be fruitless. , MS-13 is not a hostile alien group. It is a US-born portent that is created and maintained partly because of economic segregation.

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