gangs gangs are not a new phenomenon in the us. for example: philadelphia was trying to devise a way...
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GangsGangsGangs are not a new phenomenon in the US. Gangs are not a new phenomenon in the US.
For example:For example:
Philadelphia was trying to devise a way to deal with roaming Philadelphia was trying to devise a way to deal with roaming youth disrupting the city in 1791. youth disrupting the city in 1791.
New York City acknowledged gang problems as early as 1825.New York City acknowledged gang problems as early as 1825.
Ethnicities, among others, associated with gangs in US History:Ethnicities, among others, associated with gangs in US History:Irish Irish Jewish Italian African-AmericanJewish Italian African-American Chinese Chinese
RussianRussianMexican-American Puerto Ricans Vietnamese HaitianMexican-American Puerto Ricans Vietnamese Haitian
There appears to have been an increase in gang involvement There appears to have been an increase in gang involvement in the 1980s, and a subsequent decline in the 1990s.in the 1980s, and a subsequent decline in the 1990s.
It is generally agreed that gang activity and It is generally agreed that gang activity and membership increased through much of the late membership increased through much of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. However, numbers started ‘80s and early ‘90s. However, numbers started declining in the late ‘90sdeclining in the late ‘90s
20022002 21,500 gangs and 731,500 gang members21,500 gangs and 731,500 gang members 19981998 28,700 gangs and 780,000 gang members28,700 gangs and 780,000 gang members 19961996 31,000 gangs and 846,000 gang members31,000 gangs and 846,000 gang members
There are still methodological concerns about how There are still methodological concerns about how we count. we count.
GangsGangs
GangsGangsConditions that foster gangs—Conditions that foster gangs—
Structural Changes in the 1980sStructural Changes in the 1980sthat may have fostered increases in that may have fostered increases in gangs:gangs:
1.1. Kids are most impoverished Kids are most impoverished group, and poverty had risen group, and poverty had risen again.again.
2.2. Economic restructuring occurred. Economic restructuring occurred. Increases in low-wage, low-Increases in low-wage, low-
benefits jobsbenefits jobs More women with kids More women with kids
entering labor forceentering labor force Cuts in assistance to the poorCuts in assistance to the poor Disinvestment in larger citiesDisinvestment in larger cities
3.3. Racism and denial of inclusion in Racism and denial of inclusion in the economic system continued in the economic system continued in poor urban neighborhoods, while poor urban neighborhoods, while upwardly mobile minorities left upwardly mobile minorities left minority neighborhoodsminority neighborhoods
GangsGangsStructural Changes in the 1980sStructural Changes in the 1980smay have fostered increases in may have fostered increases in gangs:gangs:
1.1. Kids are most impoverished Kids are most impoverished group, and poverty had risen group, and poverty had risen again.again.
2.2. Economic restructuring Economic restructuring occurred. occurred. Increases in low-wage, low-Increases in low-wage, low-
benefits jobsbenefits jobs More women with kids More women with kids
entering labor forceentering labor force Cuts in assistance to the Cuts in assistance to the
poorpoor Disinvestment in larger citiesDisinvestment in larger cities
3.3. Racism and denial of inclusion in Racism and denial of inclusion in the economic system continued the economic system continued in poor urban neighborhoods, in poor urban neighborhoods, while upwardly mobile while upwardly mobile minorities left minority minorities left minority neighborhoodsneighborhoods
3.3. Higher rates of single-parent Higher rates of single-parent families—less supervision and families—less supervision and attachment.attachment.
4.4. Smaller families. Lone Smaller families. Lone children seek friends. More children seek friends. More protection with peers. More protection with peers. More gang involvement.gang involvement.
5.5. Volatile drug markets created Volatile drug markets created economic opportunities for economic opportunities for youths and gangs.youths and gangs.
6.6. Crackdowns on youth Crackdowns on youth behaviors. We tend to tighten behaviors. We tend to tighten our bonds in times of trouble. our bonds in times of trouble. Hatfields vs. McCoysHatfields vs. McCoys
7.7. Normalization of gangs in Normalization of gangs in youth culture.youth culture.
GangsGangs
NormalizationNormalization
GangsGangsSocial Structure of Gangs: Social Structure of Gangs:
1.1. Members are typically young teenage males of similar Members are typically young teenage males of similar ethnic or racial backgrounds (usually from “broken ethnic or racial backgrounds (usually from “broken homes” in the inner-cities).homes” in the inner-cities).
2.2. Loyalty and adherence to a strict gang code (i.e., the Loyalty and adherence to a strict gang code (i.e., the gang is more important than anything, don’t squeal) is gang is more important than anything, don’t squeal) is expected.expected.
3.3. Cohesiveness among members is typically loose, but Cohesiveness among members is typically loose, but increases as recognition from society increases.increases as recognition from society increases.
4.4. Loyalty and camaraderie are solidified by participation in Loyalty and camaraderie are solidified by participation in group activities that are often antisocial, illegal, violent, group activities that are often antisocial, illegal, violent, and criminal.and criminal.
5.5. Goals, roles, and responsibilities are loose, but some have Goals, roles, and responsibilities are loose, but some have these unspoken, but understood.these unspoken, but understood.
6.6. There is an established hierarchy.There is an established hierarchy.7.7. Identification with a local territory (often referred to as Identification with a local territory (often referred to as
turf) is commonplace in the neighborhood as well as on turf) is commonplace in the neighborhood as well as on school campuses.school campuses.
8.8. Recruitment is an ongoing process, especially at schools.Recruitment is an ongoing process, especially at schools.
GangsGangsHow were gangs transformed in the late 1980s?How were gangs transformed in the late 1980s?
1.1. Younger active members (some as young as eight- or Younger active members (some as young as eight- or nine-years-old)nine-years-old)
2.2. Evidence of ethnic and racial crossover in multiethnic Evidence of ethnic and racial crossover in multiethnic neighborhoodsneighborhoods
3.3. Growth in female gangsGrowth in female gangs4.4. Established cliques or sets in smaller cities and suburban Established cliques or sets in smaller cities and suburban
communitiescommunities5.5. Acquisition of large sums of money from illegal drug Acquisition of large sums of money from illegal drug
markets and prostitution for some gangsmarkets and prostitution for some gangs6.6. Frequent use of drugs and alcoholFrequent use of drugs and alcohol7.7. More violenceMore violence8.8. Use of sophisticated communications devices and Use of sophisticated communications devices and
automatic weaponsautomatic weapons9.9. Employment of guerrilla warfare-like tactics Employment of guerrilla warfare-like tactics
GangsGangsBut let’s face it . . . Gangs are not the leading cause of violence But let’s face it . . . Gangs are not the leading cause of violence
in the US.in the US.
GangsGangs
According to Research, According to Research, Reasons for GangReasons for GangInvolvement are:Involvement are:
1.1. A search for love, structure A search for love, structure and disciplineand discipline
2.2. A sense of belonging, A sense of belonging, commitment, acceptancecommitment, acceptance
3.3. The need for recognition The need for recognition and power, self-worth and and power, self-worth and statusstatus
4.4. Training, excitement and Training, excitement and activitiesactivities
GangsGangs
According to Research, According to Research, Reasons for GangReasons for GangInvolvement are:Involvement are:
1.1. A search for love, structure A search for love, structure and disciplineand discipline
2.2. A sense of belonging, A sense of belonging, commitment, acceptancecommitment, acceptance
3.3. The need for recognition The need for recognition and power, self-worth and and power, self-worth and statusstatus
4.4. Training, excitement and Training, excitement and activitiesactivities
5.5. To make moneyTo make money
6.6. The need for physical The need for physical Safety and protectionSafety and protection
7.7. A family/neighborhood A family/neighborhood traditiontradition
GangsGangsAccording to Research, According to Research,
Reasons for GangReasons for Gang
Involvement are:Involvement are:
To sum it up, people are gregarious and join groups for To sum it up, people are gregarious and join groups for psychological security, resource security and for psychological security, resource security and for emotionally satisfying bonds. emotionally satisfying bonds.
These reasons for joining gangs sound like reasons people join These reasons for joining gangs sound like reasons people join any other organization.any other organization.
GangsGangs
Gangs are like:Gangs are like:
Fraternities & SororitiesFraternities & Sororities LodgesLodges How?How? Sports OrganizationsSports Organizations Political GroupsPolitical Groups
Gangs are not “Abnormal”Gangs are not “Abnormal”
GangsGangs
Colors or LogosColors or Logos
GangsGangs
InitiationInitiation
GangsGangs
Secret SocietiesSecret Societies
Independent Order of Oddfellows, Order of Rebekah
GangsGangs
ConformityConformity
GangsGangs
HomogeneityHomogeneity
GangsGangs
HierarchyHierarchy
GangsGangs
CompetitionCompetition
GangsGangs
RecruitmentRecruitment
GangsGangs
Gangs are like:Gangs are like:
Fraternities & Fraternities & SororitiesSororities
LodgesLodges Sports Sports
OrganizationsOrganizations Political GroupsPolitical Groups
How?How?
Colors or logosColors or logos InitiationsInitiations Secret SocietySecret Society Demand for Conformity Demand for Conformity
and Loyaltyand Loyalty Homogeneity of Homogeneity of
MembershipMembership HierarchyHierarchy Marking Territory with Marking Territory with
Symbols or ObjectsSymbols or Objects Competition with other Competition with other
organizationsorganizations Recruitment Recruitment
Gangs are not “Abnormal”Gangs are not “Abnormal”
GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
1.1. More satisfying families and communitiesMore satisfying families and communities. If . If the family or significant others are the source of the family or significant others are the source of love, guidance, and protection that youths seek, love, guidance, and protection that youths seek, they are not forced to search for these basic they are not forced to search for these basic needs from a gang.needs from a gang.
GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
1.1. More satisfying families and communitiesMore satisfying families and communities. If . If the family or significant others are the source of the family or significant others are the source of love, guidance, and protection that youths seek, love, guidance, and protection that youths seek, they are not forced to search for these basic they are not forced to search for these basic needs from a gang.needs from a gang.
2.2. Educational attachmentEducational attachment. Young people who . Young people who successfully participate in and complete successfully participate in and complete education have greater opportunities to education have greater opportunities to participate as rewarded and contributing adults.participate as rewarded and contributing adults.
GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
2.2. Educational attachmentEducational attachment. Young people who . Young people who successfully participate in and complete successfully participate in and complete education have greater opportunities to education have greater opportunities to participate as rewarded and contributing adults.participate as rewarded and contributing adults.
3.3. Graffiti removalGraffiti removal. Removal reduces the chance . Removal reduces the chance that crimes will be committed. Since gangs use that crimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti to mark their turf, advertise themselves, graffiti to mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit for a crime, quick removal is and claim credit for a crime, quick removal is essential.essential.
GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
3.3. Graffiti removalGraffiti removal. Removal reduces the chance . Removal reduces the chance that crimes will be committed. Since gangs use that crimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti to mark their turf, advertise themselves, graffiti to mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit for a crime, quick removal is and claim credit for a crime, quick removal is essential.essential.
4.4. Recreational programsRecreational programs. Can get youths . Can get youths involved in activities and belonging that would involved in activities and belonging that would serve the same kind of function that gangs serve the same kind of function that gangs serve.serve.
GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
4.4. Recreational programsRecreational programs. Can get youths . Can get youths involved in activities and belonging that would involved in activities and belonging that would serve the same kind of function that gangs serve the same kind of function that gangs serve.serve.
5.5. Conflict resolution programsConflict resolution programs. Can teach . Can teach potential gangsters how to better deal with potential gangsters how to better deal with conflicts and help reduce gang intimidation conflicts and help reduce gang intimidation tactics. tactics.
GangsGangsGang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
5.5. Conflict resolution programsConflict resolution programs. Can teach . Can teach potential gangsters how to better deal with potential gangsters how to better deal with conflicts and help reduce gang intimidation conflicts and help reduce gang intimidation tactics.tactics.
6.6. Fight high-density poverty and hopelessness.Fight high-density poverty and hopelessness. Combating conditions of urban slums removes Combating conditions of urban slums removes the structural conditions conducive to gangs. the structural conditions conducive to gangs.
““TThe chief problem in any community cursed with he chief problem in any community cursed with crime is not the punishment of the criminals, crime is not the punishment of the criminals, but the preventing of the young from being but the preventing of the young from being trained to crime.” — WEB Duboistrained to crime.” — WEB Dubois
GangsGangs