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This segregation birthed a troubling phenomenon: youth gangs formed in response to social exclusion and economic hardship. In urban areas dominated by immigrant populations, violence became increasingly organized, evolving from small groups to more formidable criminal networks fueled by drugs and rivalries.
Legal Loopholes and Gang Culture
Contributing to the chaos was Sweden's progressive legal framework regarding juvenile offenders. With no juvenile court system and a high threshold for accountability, minors under 15 could evade serious consequences for criminal offenses. Gang leaders exploited this law by recruiting young children, further exacerbating the violence and creating networks of delinquency among the youth.