NCJ Number
136783
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 29-37
Date Published
1992
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Juvenile gang membership and gang activity in Dona Ana County (New Mexico) were studied using data gathered through a self-administered questionnaire completed by 373 randomly selected 9th and 11th grade students attending 2 high schools and 2 junior high schools in April 1991.
Abstract
The sample included 270 males and 103 females. Just over 75 percent of the participants were Hispanic; most of the rest were white. Results revealed that 56 students were currently active in a gang; another 45 had been members of gangs but were no longer involved; and 68 students had considered joining a gang but did not or could not. These 169 students represented 45 percent of the total sample. A more restrictive definition of actual gang membership, based on initiation rites and external symbols of membership, resulted in a smaller proportion of student being categorized as current or former gang members. Finally, findings suggested that self-definition demonstrates clearer ties to self-reported gang-related activities than does the more restrictive one and that policies based on the restrictive definition may be less useful than those based on the broader definition. Tables and 15 references (Author abstract modified)