NCJ Number
187127
Date Published
2001
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Despite a resurgence of gang research, many questions about youth collectivities and their behavior remain largely unanswered, and factors associated with the emergence and maintenance of gangs and gang violence are considered.
Abstract
Juvenile gangs are defined as groups whose members meet with some regularity, over time, and on the basis of group-defined criteria of membership and organizational characteristics. Several researchers have noted diversity in age and gender relationships among the gangs they have studied. Age grading, however, is not uniform among gangs. Further, the community context of adult-adolescent relationships is critical to understanding violent behavior perpetrated by all types of youth collectivities. The author notes, however, that violent behavior among even the most violent gangs is relatively rare. When violent episodes do occur within or between gangs or when gangs attack others or destroy property, some gang members typically do not participate. Research indicates socialization into violence begins early in the lives of young people in communities where gangs are most commonly found. The author discusses the role of pathology in gangs, group processes associated with gangs, gang fighting and status, gang norms, group cohesiveness, and community and legal responses to gangs. 122 references and 16 endnotes