American Gangs and British Subcultures - A Comparison

• NCJ Number: 84377
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (1982) Pages: 76-92
• Author(s): A Campbell; S Munce; J Galea
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This comparison of structured U.S. gangs with loosely organized British subcultures argues that both are youth's responses to economic disadvantage which reflect historical and social differences in the predominant culture.

Abstract

In contrast to subcultures, gangs exhibit face-to-face interactions, internal structure, territoriality, and stable membership. Great Britain has produced several major youth subcultures since World War II but few structured gangs, while the opposite has occurred in the United States. The rise of youth in both countries can be attributed to the postwar baby boom and the period of economic prosperity in the 1950's and 1960's. The British subcultures -- Teddy Boys, Mods, Rockers, Skinheads, and Punks -- reflect the country's class system, particularly the solidarity of the working class and working class youth's antipathy toward middle class values. These subcultures with their emphasis on leisure and fun provide a solution to failure in employment and academic fields by blaming the class system, but fiercely challenging; any benevolent attempts to help. The United States offers no such rationale for failure, but continues to emphasize the American dream that anyone who works hard can achieve power and wealth. The most visible social divisions are based on race, ethnicity, language, sex, and urban versus rural location rather than class. In this environment, gangs represent different race and ethnic groups in their own locality and are committed only to their own survival. They accept and duplicate the organization of the dominant society. An historical review of U.S. gangs and British youth subcultures demonstrates how both have reacted to social, political, and economic trends in the 1970's. Finally, the impact of conservative government policies on youth in both countries is discussed. The paper includes 37 references.