Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program (Essay Sample)

Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program
The G.R.E.A.T program targets children at elementary and middle schools, with the primary purpose of preventing gang involvement, violence, and youth crime. The program also aims to help students shun criminal acts, violence, and becoming members of a gang (Esbensen et al., 2012). The program aids children to resist pressure from gang members and cultivate positive attitudes regarding the enforcement of the law. Since its inception in 1991, the G.R.E.A.T program has seen the graduation of more than seven million students (Esbensen et al., 2012). Additionally, it has licensed approximately 14,412 professionals and officers as G.R.E.A.T instructors, which is a strong indication of its effectiveness.
The Theory of the Problem
The G.R.E.A.T program focuses on social control and social learning theory. According to social learning theory, people develop skills and motivation to engage in crime based on their association.