NCJ Number
169848
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1998) Pages: 19-33
Date Published
1998
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article describes characteristics that are common to all gangs and discusses the development of gangs into an almost tribal type of society.
Abstract
Modern street gangs can be described as the new urban tribes. They consist of groups of people possessed of a common language, culture or territory; the bonds that hold the groups together revolve around the attitudes that members have toward each other and behavior patterns of cooperation and mutual assistance that demonstrate those attitudes. Gangs claim land, have their own internal organizations, make their own rules, conduct rites of passage, operate in the common interest, and identify themselves as a people separate from the rest of society. Many gangs and gang members share numerous characteristics, including: (1) a code of conduct; (2) selective membership; (3) loyalty to group above all else; (4) frequently violent initiation rites; (5) no respect for law, no fear of jail; (6) use of totems or paraphernalia to show membership; (7) unique tattoos, colors, clothing, jewelry; (8) involvement in crimes to make money; (9) internal organization and structure; (10) use of violence to achieve ends; (11) unique funeral rites; and (12) unique methods of communicating. Bibliography