Joining a Gang
Recruiting
Graffiti
Not Joining or
Leaving
Belief Systems
100
The hope of making money.
What are material reasons?
100
The gang advertises itself through word of mouth and then evaluates candidates in terms of fighting ability and other skills.
What is Fraternity?
100
Graffiti which refers to where a gang member is from.
What is identifying the gang's turf?
100
They don’t see any advantage in being a gang member.
What is a reason not to join a gang?
100
Reputation, recognition, self-esteem, and friendship.
What are core beliefs?
200
Hoping the gang will provide entertainment.
What is recreation?
200
The gang tries to convince a potential member of his duty to join.
What is Obligation?
200
Gangs use graffiti to communicate with each other.
What is making pronouncements?
200
The influence of family, friends, or a girlfriend.
What is a reason to leave a gang?
200
A sense of wildness.
What is locura (or craziness)?
300
A gang provides its members with a cover and the protection of group identity.
What is refuge and camouflage?
300
Similar to a draft during a time of war.
What is Coercive recruitment?
300
Gangs often provided methods for greiving for fellow members who have died.
What is commemorating the dead?
300
An employment opportunity.
What is a reason for leaving a gang?
300
Providing structure and control with consistent rules, sanctions and penalties.
What is a significant function of a gang?
400
Joining a gang gives members an opportunity to avoid becoming like their parents.
What is a need to resist?
400
In many cases youths join gangs without any pressure from a gang.
What is having a friend who is a gang member?
400
Much gang graffiti involves the use of abbreviations which stand for something related to the gang.
What is using numbers?
400
Not being wanted.
What is a reason not to join a gang?
400
Either democratic or more dictatorial.
What is gang leadership structure?
500
In some areas, gangs have existed for many generations.
What is commitment to the community?
500
Ending up in prison or getting killed.
What is a possible outcome for those joining youth gangs?
500
A form of graffiti not usually associated with specific gangs.
What is tagging?
500
A risky activity, as it is often seen as betrayal by the gang.
What is leaving a gang?
500
A worldview, an interpretation of the world, a justification for the superiority of this worldview.
What is gang ideology?
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