1. Unit 3 Discussion Tips Facts Versus Opinions

2. A Thesis is debatable! Juvenile offenders are "criminals who happen to be young, not children who happen to be criminal." --Albert Regnery

3. Thesis = Opinion Gang violence and crime can only be changed by addressing the root causes of deviant behavior. If the social needs of young people in gang-heavy areas can be met in healthy ways, gang involvement will be less attractive, and gang-related problems will decline. The word ONLY implies that other ways will not work.

4. Unit 3 Discussion Questions! 1.Post your original thesis statement and your revised thesis statement. Go to the Unit 3 DB and find your original thesis statement. Read my comments and the comments from your peers. Then, rewrite your thesis (either a little or a lot) and post it in the discussion for Unit 6!

5. 2. 2. Review and provide feedback on the thesis statements of two of your classmates. If one student has already received feedback from two peers, choose another student's posting so that everyone can benefit from the feedback. a)Was anything unclear? b)What grabbed you and made you want to read the whole paper? c)What questions might you expect this paper to answer based on the direction of the thesis statement? d)Where do you see this paper going after reading the thesis statement? e)What would you add or delete to make the thesis statement better?

6. Thesis 1 Anti-drug policies cause gang violence. Legalization of marijuana will take away the income from gangs' drug trafficking, resulting in a decrease in gang membership and violence.

7. Unit 3 Discussion Questions! a)Was anything unclear? b)What grabbed you and made you want to read the whole paper? c)What questions might you expect this paper to answer based on the direction of the thesis statement? d)Where do you see this paper going after reading the thesis statement? e)What would you add or delete to make the thesis statement better?

8. Thesis 2 Gangs are associated with drugs, weapons and intimidation.

9. Unit 3 Discussion Questions! a)Was anything unclear? b)What grabbed you and made you want to read the whole paper? c)What questions might you expect this paper to answer based on the direction of the thesis statement? d)Where do you see this paper going after reading the thesis statement? e)What would you add or delete to make the thesis statement better?

10. Thesis 3 Anti-loitering laws prevent violence before it happens and give police the power to prevent teenagers and others in gang-ridden neighborhoods from congregating in public. The best way to address gang activities is to enforce anti-loitering laws.

11. Unit 3 Discussion Questions! a)Was anything unclear? b)What grabbed you and made you want to read the whole paper? c)What questions might you expect this paper to answer based on the direction of the thesis statement? d)Where do you see this paper going after reading the thesis statement? e)What would you add or delete to make the thesis statement better?

12. Thesis 4 Anti-loitering laws infringe on the right to assembly and to associate with others and give police too much power. Moreover, the situations under which the law would apply were too vague.

13. Unit 3 Discussion Questions! a)Was anything unclear? b)What grabbed you and made you want to read the whole paper? c)What questions might you expect this paper to answer based on the direction of the thesis statement? d)Where do you see this paper going after reading the thesis statement? e)What would you add or delete to make the thesis statement better?

14. Unit 3 Discussion Questions! a)Was anything unclear? b)What grabbed you and made you want to read the whole paper? c)What questions might you expect this paper to answer based on the direction of the thesis statement? d)Where do you see this paper going after reading the thesis statement? e)What would you add or delete to make the thesis statement better?

15. Support = Facts Causes for Joining Gangs Young people join gangs for the same reasons that they join other social groups. Some reasons include: Structure Discipline Commitment Sense of belonging Companionship Social Interaction

16. Support = Facts Certain social conditions commonly exist in areas where gang recruitment is high. The frustration and hopelessness of poverty can increase the sense of being denied the material things that society has available. This strain often leads to the crime and drug trade associated with gangs as a way to earn money and gain personal power.

17. Questions to Consider! 1. Do you agree that the availability of more programs for young people would lead to a decline in gang membership? Why or why not? 2. What do young people believe they could gain by membership in a gang? 3. Describe some types of community activities or organizations that might help to keep young people from joining a gang.

18. More Questions! 4. What kinds of skills and behaviors are the most likely to help young people avoid gang involvement? 5. Do you think anti-loitering laws give police the power to prevent teenagers and others in gang-ridden neighborhoods from congregating in public?

19. Resources! Craig, W., Vitaro, F., Gagnon, C., & Tremblay, R. (2002). The road to gang membership: Characteristics of male gang and nongang members from ages 10 to 14. Social Development, 11(1), 53-68. Retrieved from Academic Search Alumni Edition database. National Gang Center at http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/About/FAQ#q1.