Why are children in Haiti increasingly turning to gangs?

Children in Haiti are increasingly turning to gangs because they have no alternatives for support or opportunity. According to reports cited by Jacqueline Charles, a Caribbean correspondent for the Miami Herald, gang recruitment has increased dramatically by 70%, with children being particularly targeted. Many of these children face dire circumstances where gangs become their only perceived option for survival. The lack of community resources, educational opportunities, and stable family environments leaves vulnerable youth with limited choices, leading them into gang involvement. This crisis reflects the broader instability and violence plaguing Haiti, where social support systems have collapsed.