NCJ Number
57381
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE TECHNIQUES USED BY TWO BROTHERS TO AVOID INVOLVEMENT IN A DOMINANT NEIGHBORHOOD JUVENILE GANG. (EASTSIDE LOMA GANG IN LOS ANGELES, CALIF.) ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS OF NONDELINQUENT BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
CAESAR, A SPANISH-AMERICAN HAS HAD 1 YEAR OF JUNIOR COLLEGE, IS CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED, AND EARNS STATUS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY BY CONVERTING OLD CARS INTO CUSTOMIZED 'LOW RIDERS.' HE ATTRIBUTES HIS ABILITY TO AVOID GANG MEMBERSHIP TO THE EXAMPLE OF HIS MOTHER AND IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND TO THE INFLUENCE OF A BARRIO (NEIGHBORHOOOD) COUNSELOR, A FORMER GANG MEMBER NAMED 'HOOD.' HE MAINTAINS CONTACTS WITH AS MANY MEMBERS FROM AS MANY DIFFERENT GANGS AS POSSIBLE SO THAT HE CAN KEEP A REPUTATION OF NEUTRALITY, BUT MAKES A DETERMINED EFFORT TO AVOID BEING 'IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME.' HE IS ALSO SUSPICIOUS OF POLICE AND FEELS THEY HARASS SPANISH-AMERICANS FOR NO GOOD REASON. THE YOUNGER BROTHER, RICHARD, IS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. HE HAS A LEARNING DISABILITY AND DOES NOT LIKE SCHOOL, BUT ATTENDS BECAUSE IT HELPS HIM TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. HE FIXES BICYCLES AND GAINS NEIGHBORHOOD STATUS THROUGH HIS MECHANICAL ABILITY. HE IMITATES HIS BROTHER'S BEHAVIOR, AVOIDING DRESS WHICH WOULD MARK HIM AS A GANG MEMBER, STAYING ON GOOD TERMS WITH AS MANY DIFFERENT GANGS AS POSSIBLE, AND STAYING AWAY FROM TROUBLESOME SITUATIONS. BOTH BOYS STATE THAT MANY 'GOOD KIDS' DO NOT ATTEND HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE TO CROSS INTO A RIVAL GANG'S TERRITORY OR BECAUSE THEY ARE ASHAMED OF THEIR LEARNING WEAKNESSES. CAESAR ALSO CRITICIZES THE LACK OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE AREA. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT STRATEGIES USED BY THESE BROTHERS COUNSELORS BE EMPLOYED TO HELP OTHER YOUTHS AVOID GANG INVOLVEMENT. THIS BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS IS A CONTINUATION OF ONE FOCUSING ON THE GANG ITSELF (SEE NCJ 57380). REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)