Gangs
Gangs are not a new phenomenon in the US. For
example:
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Philadelphia was trying to devise a way to deal with roaming youth
disrupting the city in 1791.
New York City acknowledged gang problems as early as 1825.
Ethnicities, among others, associated with gangs in US History:
Irish
Jewish
Italian
African-American
Chinese
Russian
Mexican-American
Puerto Ricans
Vietnamese
Haitian
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There appears to have been an increase in gang involvement in the
1980s, and a subsequent decline in the 1990s.
Gangs
It is generally agreed that gang activity and membership
increased through much of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
However, numbers started declining in the late ‘90s
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2002
1998
1996
21,500 gangs and 731,500 gang members
28,700 gangs and 780,000 gang members
31,000 gangs and 846,000 gang members
There are still methodological concerns about how we
count.
Gangs
Conditions that foster gangs—Structural
Changes in the 1980s
that may have fostered increases in
gangs:
1.
2.
3.
Kids are most impoverished group,
and poverty had risen again.
Economic restructuring occurred.
 Increases in low-wage, lowbenefits jobs
 More women with kids entering
labor force
 Cuts in assistance to the poor
 Disinvestment in larger cities
Racism and denial of inclusion in the
economic system continued in poor
urban neighborhoods, while upwardly
mobile minorities left minority
neighborhoods
Gangs
Structural Changes in the 1980s
may have fostered increases in
gangs:
1.
3.
Kids are most impoverished group,
and poverty had risen again.
4.
2.
3.
Economic restructuring occurred.
 Increases in low-wage, lowbenefits jobs
 More women with kids
entering labor force
 Cuts in assistance to the poor
 Disinvestment in larger cities
Racism and denial of inclusion in
the economic system continued in
poor urban neighborhoods, while
upwardly mobile minorities left
minority neighborhoods
5.
6.
7.
Higher rates of single-parent
families—less supervision and
attachment.
Smaller families. Lone children
seek friends. More protection with
peers. More gang involvement.
Volatile drug markets created
economic opportunities for youths
and gangs.
Crackdowns on youth behaviors.
We tend to tighten our bonds in
times of trouble. Hatfields vs.
McCoys
Normalization of gangs in youth
culture.
Gangs

Normalization
Social Structure of Gangs:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Gangs
Members are typically young teenage males of similar ethnic or
racial backgrounds (usually from “broken homes” in the innercities).
Loyalty and adherence to a strict gang code (i.e., the gang is
more important than anything, don’t squeal) is expected.
Cohesiveness among members is typically loose, but increases as
recognition from society increases.
Loyalty and camaraderie are solidified by participation in group
activities that are often antisocial, illegal, violent, and criminal.
Goals, roles, and responsibilities are loose, but some have these
unspoken, but understood.
There is an established hierarchy.
Identification with a local territory (often referred to as turf) is
commonplace in the neighborhood as well as on school
campuses.
Recruitment is an ongoing process, especially at schools.
Gangs
How were gangs transformed in the late 1980s?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Younger active members (some as young as eight- or nine-yearsold)
Evidence of ethnic and racial crossover in multiethnic
neighborhoods
Growth in female gangs
Established cliques or sets in smaller cities and suburban
communities
Acquisition of large sums of money from illegal drug markets and
prostitution for some gangs
Frequent use of drugs and alcohol
More violence
Use of sophisticated communications devices and automatic
weapons
Employment of guerrilla warfare-like tactics
Gangs
But let’s face it . . . Gangs are not the leading cause of violence in the
US.
Gangs
According to Research,
Reasons for Gang
Involvement are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A search for love, structure
and discipline
A sense of belonging,
commitment, acceptance
The need for recognition and
power, self-worth and status
Training, excitement and
activities
Gangs
According to Research,
Reasons for Gang
Involvement are:
1.
A search for love, structure
and discipline
5.
6.
2.
A sense of belonging,
commitment, acceptance
7.
3.
4.
The need for recognition and
power, self-worth and status
Training, excitement and
activities
To make money
The need for physical Safety
and protection
A family/neighborhood
tradition
According to Research,
Reasons for Gang
Involvement are:
Gangs
To sum it up, people are gregarious and join groups for psychological
security, resource security and for emotionally satisfying bonds.
These reasons for joining gangs sound like reasons people join any
other organization.
Gangs
Gangs are not “Abnormal”
Gangs are like:
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Fraternities & Sororities
Lodges
Sports Organizations
Political Groups
How?
Gangs
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Colors or Logos
Gangs
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Initiation
Gangs
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Secret Societies
Independent Order of Oddfellows, Order of Rebekah
Gangs
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Conformity
Gangs
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Homogeneity
Gangs
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Hierarchy
Gangs
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Marking Turf
Gangs
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Competition
Gangs
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Recruitment
Gangs
Gangs are not “Abnormal”
Gangs are like:
How?
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Fraternities &
Sororities
Lodges
Sports Organizations
Political Groups








Colors or logos
Initiations
Secret Society
Demand for Conformity and
Loyalty
Homogeneity of Membership
Hierarchy
Marking Territory with Symbols
or Objects
Competition with other
organizations
Recruitment
Gangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:
1.
More satisfying families and communities. If the family
or significant others are the source of love, guidance,
and protection that youths seek, they are not forced to
search for these basic needs from a gang.
Gangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:
1.
More satisfying families and communities. If the family
or significant others are the source of love, guidance,
and protection that youths seek, they are not forced to
search for these basic needs from a gang.
2.
Educational attachment. Young people who
successfully participate in and complete education
have greater opportunities to participate as rewarded
and contributing adults.
Gangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:
2.
Educational attachment. Young people who
successfully participate in and complete education
have greater opportunities to participate as rewarded
and contributing adults.
3.
Graffiti removal. Removal reduces the chance that
crimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti to
mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit
for a crime, quick removal is essential.
Gangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:
3.
Graffiti removal. Removal reduces the chance that
crimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti to
mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit
for a crime, quick removal is essential.
4.
Recreational programs. Can get youths involved in
activities and belonging that would serve the same
kind of function that gangs serve.
Gangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:
4.
Recreational programs. Can get youths involved in
activities and belonging that would serve the same
kind of function that gangs serve.
5.
Conflict resolution programs. Can teach potential
gangsters how to better deal with conflicts and help
reduce gang intimidation tactics.
Gangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:
5.
Conflict resolution programs. Can teach potential
6.
Fight high-density poverty and hopelessness.
gangsters how to better deal with conflicts and help
reduce gang intimidation tactics.
Combating conditions of urban slums removes the
structural conditions conducive to gangs.
“The chief problem in any community cursed with crime is
not the punishment of the criminals, but the
preventing of the young from being trained to crime.”
— WEB Dubois
Gangs