NCJ Number
143144
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (1993) Pages: 149- 165
Date Published
1993
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Data from members of adolescent youth gangs in Kenosha, Wisc. were used to explore the characteristics of youth gang involvement in communities with populations of 100,000 or less.
Abstract
The analysis sought to determine the structural conditions and processes that have given rise to these deviant groups in smaller-sized cities and towns. Information was collected by means of detailed, tape- recorded interviews with 23 self-identified gang members from four separate Kenosha youth gangs. The interviewed youths ranged from 13 to 17 years of age. All but two were males and all were either black or Hispanic. Results revealed that in contrast to what is found in larger cities, drug abuse and drug dealing does not appear to be of great importance to these Kenosha gangs. In addition, the gangs appeared to have no formal relationship with Chicago's minority gangs. The Kenosha gangs appear to consist of small groups of young teenage associates who gather along street corners and recreational facilities located near their homes and schools. The gangs were smaller than their larger city counterparts, lacked a formal hierarchy or stable infrastructure, and had largely situational leadership. Findings called into question the common assumption that proximity to a large urban area such as Chicago, with more than 12,000 gang members, is the crucial factor in explaining the development of youth gangs in nearby smaller communities. Notes and 61 references