The Myth
and Realities
of Gang-life
The average gang member who dies doesn’t reach 30 years old.
Many teens and young adults know which gangs are active in their neighbourhoods. They see gang members driving expensive cars, wearing expensive clothes, and are inundated with images in the media, movies, and television that propagate many myths about gangs and gangsters.
On the surface it might look like the easiest way to get those things is to join a gang but what are often forgotten or ignored are some of the realities associated to gang life.
We have designed this Facilitators Guide (right) to help you create an engaging, active learning environment for students who will be watching the videos.
MODUAL 01 : Disputes the myth of having lots of money, fancy cars, power and that transporting a little bit of drugs is no big deal. The basis of the first module is essentially high risk, high reward.
MODUAL 02: Focuses specifically on female involvement in gangs. Girls have a role to play too, and they aren’t immune to the violence that accompanies the lifestyle.
MODUAL 03: Highlights the misconception that gang members will be your friends, people you count on, and that that lifestyle will earn you respect. Gang life is a book that gets judged by its cover. The horrors aren’t revealed until later.
MODUAL 04: Focuses on the belief that a gang is like a brotherhood and support system. The reality of the situation is that you are entirely alone, fighting a losing battle.
MODUAL 05: The myth of living a long and happy life is demystified entirely in the this module. It is no secret, but many gangsters don’t live past the age of 30.
MODUAL 06: Eliminating the stigma that surrounds gang life. It is easy to brush it off and say that these people got what they deserved, and that the murder of a gangster is a victimless crime. But there are victims: the parents, spouses, and children who are left behind to suffer.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia worked in collaboration with Odd Squad Productions and Bright Light Studios to put together this sophisticated video project that dispels many of the common myths around gangs.
End Gang Life – Myths & Realities Facilitators Guide
The Facilitator’s Guide.
As a facilitator presenting these videos, you are in a position to initiate frank and informative conversations among students while they are in a safe learning environment. For some students, this may present a first opportunity to learn about gang life and ask questions. For others, this may be a familiar topic if friends or family members have previously been impacted by gang-related violence or activity.
We have designed this guide (see right) to help you create an ganging, active learning environment for students who will be watching the videos. The activities and questions included in this Facilitators Guide encourage students to express their perspectives and apply those perspectives to the choices they may be making or to those choices that other individuals in their lives may be making.
To view or download the Facilitators Guide click on the image right (16.9 MB)
