Reply #168: Yes, but that takes too long, and has some drawbacks.

[TheWraith]

Increased education allows a positive-feedback cycle, but for it to work properly, there needs to be available jobs. That's a prerequisite for halting losses to gang violence and the drug trade. Even if only basic reliable manufacturing jobs, it would allow for stability and an increased economic base that would make it practical to provide for the younger generation and keep them out of violent alternatives. As it stands, those people who do manage to get and keep viable jobs rarely have anything to pass on to their children, leaving them in the same position.

Anyone seen the movie "Bulworth"? At one point, the title character is listening to a self-hating South Central drug kingpin (played by the always great Don Cheadle) justify himself over using children and teens as drug runners. One of the things Cheadle's character talks about is the lack of other opportunities: "How's a young man gonna meet his financial responsibilities workin' at motherfuckin' Burger King?"