NCJ Number
171728
Journal
Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: November 1996 Pages: 123-132
Date Published
November 1996
Length
10 pages
Annotation
| The role of alcohol in the social life of youth gangs and the relationship of drinking to gang violence were examined using data from two studies of ethnic youth gangs in northern California between 1990 and 1994. |
Abstract
| Data were collected by means of field work and interviews with 659 gang members in the black, Asian, and Hispanic communities. Snowball sampling was used to locate and interview members from 99 gangs. The interviews included a quantitative survey followed by a tape-recorded session that used open-ended questions. Gang members ranged in age from 13 to 40 and had a median age of 20. Gang members spent the majority of their time hanging around and talking, defending honor, keeping the police at bay, cruising around in a car, doing a few deals, defending turf, and drinking and using drugs. Drinking was endemic to gang life and occurred throughout the day. Aggressive and violent behavior was also endemic. The relationship between drinking and violence was complex; both drinking and aggression had symbolic and ritualized content, rather than a purely instrumental nature. Further research should compare the symbolism and context of drinking and violence between gang members and other groups. Note and 59 references |