NCJ Number
44113
Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1977)
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE TENDENCY OF OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE CLUB MEMBERS TO CULTIVATE CERTAIN PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SKILLS IS DISCUSSED IN THE SECOND OF TWO ARTICLES ON THE OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE SUBCULTURE.
Abstract
MOST VALUES REJECTED BY LOWER-CLASS CHILDERN ARE ALSO REJECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE OUTLAW SUBCULTURE. HOWEVER, THERE ARE A FEW MIDDLE-CLASS VIRTUES -- CULTIVATION OF PERSONALITY AND HIGH VALUE ON SKILLS -- THAT THE BIKERS ACCEPT AND ACT UPON. GANG MEMBERS TEND TO CARICATURE OR EXAGGERATE MINOR PERSONALITY QUIRKS BECAUSE THEY RECEIVE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT FROM OTHER MEMBERS FOR DOING SO. FOR EXAMPLE, A MEMBER MAY CASUALLY USE A CERTAIN PHRASE OR MANNERISM, FIND THAT IT IS WELL RECEIVED BY THE GROUP, AND SO CONTINUE TO USE THE PHRASE OR MANNERISM TO THE EXTENT THAT HE RECEIVES A NICKNAME BASED ON IT. EVERY GANG HAS ITS SILENT CYNIC, LOUD MOUTH, TOUGH GUY, CLOWN, AND CRAZY. THERE ARE SEVERAL SKILLS UNFAMILIAR TO THE MIDDLE-CLASS OR EVEN TO THE AVERAGE LOWER-CLASS PERSON WHICH ARE HIGHLY ESTEEMED BY OUTLAW BIKERS. THESE INCLUDE FIGHTING, HIGHWAY VANDALISM, MOTORCYCLE THEFT AND STRIPPING, BARGAIN GROCERY BINGES (A FORM OF MASS SHOPLIFTING), TECHNICAL-PRACTICAL JOKES (E.G., WIRING A FELLOW MEMBER TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET, SOAKING HIS JEANS WITH BEER, AND PLUGGING HIM IN), RECKLESS RIDING, POETRY, AND CONNING. OUTLAW BIKERS REGARD THEIR ACTIVITIES AS RECREATION. THE AUTHOR, SPEAKING FROM HIS EXPERIENCE AS A MEMBER OF AN OUTLAW GANG, NOTES THAT THE TOTAL ABANDON FELT WHILE ENGAGING IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS WRECKING THE INTERIOR OF A HOUSE PROVIDES A CATHARTIC EFFECT THAT LASTS FOR DAYS. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (PART 1, SEE NCJ-44112).