Fights, robberies, graffiti, blood, death; these are a few words which people would usually associate with secret societies. In fact, to summarize the general way of thought, bad is the ultimate word to sum them up. Members in such gangs are the scum of society, committing all sorts of evil acts, stirring trouble anywhere they go, disrupting peace whenever they appear, not to mention, being an eyesore with their bright synthetic clothes and highlighted hair. But have you ever stopped to think, what is it really like beneath the tough, rugged and nasty exterior of these gangs?

In our present day society, not only are there "professional" syndicates of secret societies from the depths of the underworld, but also on the rise is juvenile delinquency. Youth gangs have been sprouting like beanstalks ever since the beginning of the nineties. And as much as people like to complain and condemn these youths who have stepped into the infamous world of secret societies, there seems to be little concern as to why did they did so in the first place. Sure, they are plenty of social workers looking into the matter, trying to get these teens to leave their gangs, and start life new afresh, with a better brighter future. However, except for this minute percentage of people who care, and actually bother to lend a helping hand, how many of the world’s population actually bother to find out what’s causing the vast amounts of youths nowadays to turn to gangs? Sad to say, the percentage is not significant, and to think that this is the little interest that the society shows for the successors of this world.

Reports have shown that most of the youths in teen gangs grow up to join the professional version of secret societies. Be it "The Mafia", "Yakuzas", or secret triads of Hong Kong. When they recruit new members, teens from youth gangs would be likely candidates. Secret societies, youth gangs, both form a serious problem that is gradually showing it’s amoral edge. And this certainly, is not solely the fault of these youngsters.

Try picturing oneself as a teenager, what would be the factors that lead you to joining a gang? It is true that some simply seek for more excitement in life, to break out of the rigid constraints set by their parents. However, most of these gang members come from broken families, where their mothers are battered, and their fathers are alcoholics. Though this may seem like a typical scene from a soap opera, it is regretfully a reflection of the truth; of a dreadful life which some less unfortunate have to go through. Cases may not be that extreme, but teenage prodigies usually suffer from family problems, and these are those who will eventually emerge as wanted convicts from secret societies.

Racism, poverty, dismal prospects in school and at home, youths turn to gangs for support and protection which they lack from parents. Loyalty is greatly honored in gangs, and with this simple but meaningful word, the members have enough reason to believe that their gang would provide the love, care and respect which they so much need in their lives. Take heart also that teens are easily subjected to peer pressure, and if rapport between child and parent is not strong, there will be a high chance that he or she may jus embark on the wrong path in life.

Please, do not look down on people which are or were members of secret societies. Yes, they may have committed crimes, caused trouble, even death among people. But do ponder over this for a moment: are they really driven by ill intentions to wreak havoc, or are they just people with vulnerable feelings which they keep shielded with the layers and layers of crimes added to their name? Look upon someone with distaste, and there is a high possibility that the inferiority complex which you bestow upon the person may well lead to his or her downfall. Reach to someone with a helping hand and compassionate heart, and you may just manage to lead him or her to the beginning of a resplendent future.

It takes two hands to clap, and the same goes for love and care. If we could just show more empathy for the people around us, it would make life much happier in this complicated world of today. Discard all your previous prejudices, and look into the core of the problem, it is no harm making an effort to understand the people whom you may not exactly like. Hopefully, secret societies may become non-existent one day.

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