Gang initiation

The variety of different gang initiations are insane ways of proving masculinity for approval. Whether initiation includes hurting an innocent bystanders or themselves, these acts are moronic. After looking for several different internet sites talking about gang initiations, I found several that were particularly disturbing. First, a particular gang was reported forcing new members to have one night to use a knife to gut someone. If the new member did not come back in the morning successfully, he/she was in danger of being gutted. Also, I found typical stories of new members robbing stores or instigating gang brawls in order to be initiated. There has never been a time where I felt that I have been emasculinized to the point that I needed to kill somone to make me feel like a man, but there certainly have been times where I have done questionable things in order to be accepted or prove my masculinity. For instance, years ago in junior high I was put in the position many times. Making fun of others was something that I never felt was right in any way, but in order to fit in with my friends I humiliated several classmates by playing tricks and making fun. Also, I have been put in the postition to defend my masculinity several times. Men are looked down upon if they back down from a fight or challenge, and I have been forced to wrestle and box many times.