Emic and Etic Perspectives on Gang Culture: The Chicano Case (From Gangs in America, P 55-68, 1990, C Ronald Huff, ed. -- See NCJ-125752)

• NCJ Number: 125755
• Author(s): J D Vigil; J M Long
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis of Chicano gang subcultures uses an anthropological perspective, noting that emic studies of culture focus on the participant's perspective, while the etic perspective emphasizes scientific categories and rules.

Abstract

The analysis argues that both perspectives are necessary for a full appreciation of a culture or subculture and that the authors' youth in Los Angeles schools and communities that contained many gang members enables them to use both perspectives in their research. The discussion focuses on four major aspects of Chicano gang subcultures: adaptation, variability and change, age and gender roles, and role enactment and self-empowerment. It concludes that the problems of youth in barrios of southern California have intensified over the years, with more youths growing up in overcrowded, impoverished households. In addition, gangs have become more pervasive features of barrios, typically involving youths as young as age 12. Although only a small proportion of youths join gangs, some retain active gang involvement until their 20's or 30's. Notes.