When 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa was brutally killed on a London bus, a nation mourned the senseless loss of such a young life. But beyond the shock and grief lies an unsettling reality – Kelyan’s story is far from unique. Scores of vulnerable young boys are being swept up in the rising tide of gang violence plaguing cities across the UK. As loved ones grieve and communities reel, it’s clear we must confront the complex web of factors driving more and more youth into the dangerous embrace of street gangs.
The Pressure to “Be a Man”
At the heart of this crisis lies a toxic narrative of masculinity that places immense pressure on young boys to prove their manhood through aggression, domination, and loyalty to the “street code.” For those growing up in disadvantaged communities where legitimate opportunities are scarce, the allure of gang life – with its promises of respect, fast money, and a sense of belonging – can be hard to resist.
There are so many pressures on young people, and “being a man” is one that is foisted on boys earlier and earlier.
– Alison Verney, longtime secondary school teacher
This pervasive “be a man” ethos leaves little room for vulnerability, empathy, or seeking help. Boys who fail to conform risk being labeled as weak, soft, or – perhaps worst of all – feminine. In a world where “snitching” is the ultimate sin, suffering in silence often seems the only option.
The Lure of Material Gain
Beyond the desire for respect and status, the promise of quick cash is a powerful draw for boys who have grown up with little. Flashing designer clothes, luxury cars, and stacks of bills, older gang members paint an alluring picture of the wealth to be gained from the drug trade. For teens who have only known poverty and struggle, the chance to provide for themselves and their families can be hard to turn down – even if it means risking their freedom and their lives.
A Failure of Support Systems
While individual choices undoubtedly play a role, we cannot ignore the systemic failures that leave so many boys vulnerable to gang recruitment in the first place. Underfunded schools, lack of youth programs, scarcity of mental health resources, and the absence of positive male role models create a perfect storm of risk factors.
I was most successful with the boys I taught when I treated them as youngsters: seeing them as vulnerable young people in a difficult-to-navigate world, and trying to instil in them values, behaviours and actions that would stand them in good stead as they grew up.
– Alison Verney
When society fails to provide young people with the guidance, opportunities and emotional support they desperately need, gangs are all too eager to step in and fill the void. Starved of healthy outlets and positive influences, boys find a sense of family and purpose in all the wrong places.
Breaking the Cycle
Tackling such a deeply-entrenched issue will require a multi-pronged approach and committed action from all levels of society. Some key strategies to explore:
- Early intervention programs aimed at identifying and supporting at-risk youth before they become ensnared in gang life
- Expanded access to mentorship, after-school activities, job training, and mental health services in underserved communities
- Partnering with community leaders and reformed ex-gang members to provide positive role models and alternatives to street life
- Challenging harmful narratives around masculinity and promoting healthy models of manhood rooted in emotional intelligence, non-violence, and community uplift
Critically, we must also confront the role that the demand for illegal drugs plays in perpetuating gang violence. As Oxfordshire-based Angela Raven-Roberts points out:
A greater need is to draw attention to the middle-class drug users who depend on these gangs for their recreational drug habits. As they sit in the comfort of their cars or houses in the suburbs, waiting for the next drop, they should think deeply of how many young lives are being lost for their next hit. Responsibility starts with the users.
– Angela Raven-Roberts
Curbing the appetite for illicit substances among more privileged demographics could play a key role in weakening the power and influence of drug-trafficking gangs – and by extension, reducing the lure for young recruits.
Ultimately, saving boys like Kelyan will require all of us – parents, educators, policymakers, community members – to step up and be a part of the solution. We must invest in our young people, challenge toxic cultural messages, dismantle the systemic inequities that breed desperation, and make it our collective mission to show every child that their life has worth beyond the streets. Only then can we hope to stem the tide of senseless violence stealing the bright futures of far too many.
