Evolution of Gang Formation: Potentially Delinquent Activity and Gang Involvement

• NCJ Number: 153299
• Journal: Journal of Gang Research Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1994-95) Pages: 39-50
• Author(s): J T Walker; B Watt; E A White
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study designs and tests a model of behavior that attempts to show a path or progression of behavior from normative or mundane activities of juveniles, through potentially delinquent and delinquent activities, to gang involvement.

Abstract

A survey was administered to all juveniles who passed through the Little Rock Municipal Traffic Court (Arkansas) from February until August 1992. A total of 343 surveys were completed during this time. To establish a baseline of behavior, a control group of 150 college freshmen were also asked to complete the survey. A portion of the survey questioned the juveniles about their involvement in gang activities. One set of independent variables represented the mundane activities of the juveniles. These questions focused on whether the respondent was involved in certain clubs or sports at school, whether the respondent had a parentally imposed curfew at home, whether the respondent regularly attended church, and if and how often the respondent had skipped school. A second category of independent variables represented a measure of potentially delinquent behavior. Pertinent questions were whether the respondent had been in trouble in school for using drugs, had been grounded at home for using drugs, had been threatened by parents with expulsion from the home for using drugs, had been with a group when someone was carrying a gun, had ever carried a gun, and had carried a gun regularly. The final set of independent variables measured the delinquent activity of the respondent. A general finding from the study is that mundane activities of juveniles may inhibit potentially delinquent behavior. Among these inhibitors are involvement in clubs and sports at school and parental curfews. The study also found that potentially delinquent behavior, especially contact with weapons, may be more indicative of gang involvement than actual delinquency as measured in this study. The study supports a proposition that gang involvement should not be studied purely in terms of delinquency but rather in the context of other activities that may or may not rise to the level of delinquent contact with the criminal justice system. 1 table, 1 figure, and a 27-item bibliography