NCJ Number
10846
Date Published
1963
Length
388 pages
Annotation
ABRIDGED EDITION OF 1927 SOCIOLOGICAL CLASSIC BASED ON THE AUTHOR'S SEVEN YEARS OF PERSONAL OBSERVATION OF GANGS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES IN CHICAGO IN THE 1920'S.
Abstract
THE BOOK BEGINS BY OUTLINING THE HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT, AND VARIOUS TYPES OF GANGS IN THE CHICAGO AREA. LIFE IN THE GANG IS DESCRIBED, INCLUDING SUCH ASPECTS AS THE QUEST FOR NEW EXPERIENCE, GANG WARFARE, AND SEXUAL ACTIVITIES. ORGANIZATION AND CONTROL WITHIN THE GANG IS DELINEATED ALONG THE LINES OF SOCIAL PATTERNS, GROUP STRUCTURE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS, AND LEADERSHIP. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY GANGS, SUCH AS ORGANIZED CRIME AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ATTACK THE PROBLEMS AND REDIRECT THE ENERGIES OF GANGS ARE EXAMINED.