Prioritization of Strategies to Mitigate the Recruitment of Adolescents by Organized Gangs in Ecuadorian Schools through the Neutrosophic OWA-TOPSIS Model.

Abstract

The recruitment of adolescents by organized gangs in Ecuadorian schools poses a complex social challenge, threatening both the safety of young people and the stability of educational communities. The increasing prevalence of this problem highlights the urgent need to design mechanisms that can identify and prioritize effective intervention strategies. Although previous studies have examined youth violence and social exclusion, methodological gaps remain in the systematic evaluation of preventive policies that adequately account for uncertainty in decision-making. To address this limitation, the present study applies the neutrosophic OWA-TOPSIS model, a multicriteria tool that integrates ordered weighted aggregation with the ability to manage indeterminacy, ambiguity, and variability in expert judgments. By gathering and analyzing criteria from stakeholders in the educational system and public security, alternative courses of action were prioritized to reduce the recruitment of minors by criminal groups. Findings indicate that the most effective strategies are linked to strengthening psychosocial support programs, enhancing community surveillance, and fostering inclusive educational environments. This research not only provides relevant empirical evidence but also delivers practical guidelines for the design of contextualized and sustainable public policies.