NCJ Number
28539
Date Published
1974
Length
446 pages
Annotation
A SOCIOLOGICAL SCHEME OF ANALYSIS IS PRESENTED FOR USE IN DESCRIBING THE FORMATION AND DYNAMICS OF ADOLESCENT GANGS AND FOR DEVELOPING METHODS FOR THEIR SOCIAL CONTROL.
Abstract
THE FORMATION OF GANGS IS CONCEIVED IN TERMS OF THE PROBLEMS OF SOCIAL ADAPTATION AND PERSONALITY GROWTH CHARACTERISTIC OF YOUTH RATHER THAN AS A FORM OF CRIMINAL DEVIANCE. NEGATIVE SOCIAL REACTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF ADOLESCENTS LEADS TO A PROCESS OF SOCIAL SEGREGATION WHICH ENCOURAGES THE FORMATION OF GANGS. REPRESENTATIVE OF THESE ANTI-YOUTH REACTIONS ARE SOCIAL MYTHS OF THE 'BAD' ADOLESCENT. THE SCHEME OF ANALYSIS INCLUDES THE DYNAMICS OF LABELING AND SOCIAL SEGREGATION, PATTERNS OF FAMILY AND SOCIAL MALADJUSTMENT, AND THE FACTORS OF URBANIZATION AND INCREASED LEISURE TIME. OTHER THEORIES AND RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENT GANGS ARE REFERRED TO THROUGHOUT. THE METHODS OF THE FRENCH JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE CRITICIZED FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL SEGREGATION OF ADOLESCENTS WITH ESSENTIALLY ANTIYOUTH CONCEPTS AND REPRESSIVE ACTIONS. THE FEATURES OF A FUTURE NON-REPRESSIVE SOCIAL INTERVENTION ARE OUTLINED. THE AUTHORS ARE RESEARCHERS WITH THE BUREAU OF PENAL AND CRIMINOLOGICAL STUDIES (S.E.P.C.) OF THE FRENCH MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. --IN FRENCH