NCJ Number
180309
Journal
Intelligence Report Issue: 96 Dated: Fall 1999 Pages: 6-15
Editor(s)
Mark Potok
Date Published
1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Many juvenile gang members live in suburban "edge cities" in areas populated by the downwardly mobile--those who are struggling to remain in the lower middle class and those who are from one-parent or dysfunctional families.
Abstract
In edge cities, many youth have experienced racial conflict in schools, racially changing neighborhoods, reduced expectations, and fear that the economy is leaving them behind. More hate crimes occur in suburban edge cities than in inner cities, primarily because of the influx of minorities. The ideology of juvenile gangs is often based on the white supremacist movement, and juvenile gang members are frequently involved in the drug business. Male members of juvenile gangs seem to come primarily from dysfunctional families who are in lower income brackets. They see membership in a gang as an alternative family, are drawn into crime through the drug culture and hate music, and usually do poorly in school or drop out. Interviews with male gang members are presented that illustrate the mindset of these youth and their propensity to violence. 9 photographs