HONOR, NORMATIVE AMBIGUITY AND GANG VIOLENCE

• NCJ Number: 14397
• Journal: American Sociological Review Volume: 39 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1974) Pages: 238-251
• Author(s): R HOROWITZ; G SCHWARTZ
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2-09-25-0410-03
• Sponsoring Agency: Illinois Law Enforcement Cmssn (see Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority)
• Corporate Author: American Sociological Review
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EXAMINATION OF THE SOCIAL CONTEXT IN WHICH FIFTY EPISODES OF INTER-GANG VIOLENCE OCCURED IN A MEXICAN AMERICAN INNER-CITY COMMUNITY.

Abstract

THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT GANG VIOLENCE ARISES IN SITUATIONS WHERE ONE PARTY IMPUGNS THE HONOR OF HIS ADVERSARY. THIS SORT OF CONDUCT VIOLATES THE NORMS OF INTERPERSONAL ETIQUETTE AND CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF 'PERSONAL SPACE.' GANG MEMBERS FLUCTUATE UNEASILY BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL AND HONOR BOUND RESPONSES TO THESE KINDS OF INSULTS. THE PAPER OUTLINES A THEORY OF NORMATIVE AMBIGUITY THAT DEALS WITH THIS MOVEMENT BETWEEN TWO ANTITHETICAL CODES FOR CONDUCT. IN OTHER WORDS, THESE YOUNG MEN FLUCTUATE BETWEEN COMMITMENT TO CONVENTIONAL AND STREET VALUES. THIS TENSION IS NEVER FORMALLY RESOLVED BUT RATHER IS LIVED THROUGH UNTIL ONE IS OLD ENOUGH TO DECIDE WHETHER ONE IS GOING TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE RISKS OF STREET LIFE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)