Defining Delinquent Gangs
How many different definitions for the term "gang" are presented in the text?
4 (or 5 if you include the National Gang Center's definition)
Theory states that kids choose to get involved with delinquent peers because they have high status in the youth culture
Rational choice
Focus on drug use and sales, but not other delinquent activities
Party gang
Victimizes members of their own group and prominent in NY, LA, SF, Seattle and Houson
Asian Gangs
This view states that gang membership is caused by alienation and social conditions that encourage gang activity
Anomie/Alienation View
This definition describes a gang as cohesive groups that hold and defend a territory or turf
Police definition
Theory states that antisocial adolescents seek out like-minded peers for criminal association and to conduct criminal transactions
Control
Some minor drug and alcohol use. Mainly focus on social activities
Social gang
First American youth gangs (during the 1950s)
Anglo-Gangs
The view that states that gang involvement is indirectly related to continued participation in street crime and to the probability of being arrested
Life course view
This definition describes a gang as delinquent groups that fall within the cracks of society and maintain group processes
Academic experts definition
Theory states that delinquent friends cause law-abiding youth to get into trouble
Serious delinquent gang
Mixture of ethnic/racial groups, symbols, colors, and less concerned with territory
Hybrid Gangs
The view that states that youths may make a rational choice to join a gang
Rational choice view
What is the exact term used to define a gang in the California Penal Code?
Criminal street gang
Theory states that deviant kids are forced to choose deviant peers
Labeling
Heavy involvement in serious delinquent behavior
Organized gang
First organized in the 1920s and obtain unique characteristics (i.e., nicknames, tattooing, distinctive graffiti, etc.)
African-American Gangs
Define the trait view
gang members have biological and psychological traits that make them prone to violence and to joining gangs
This definition describes a gang as any congregation of youths who have joined together to engage in delinquent acts
Delinquency experts definition
Theory states that kids with like-minded peers, without parental control are more likely to be involved in delinquency
Routine activities
Youth cliques in Latino gangs that remain together as unique groups with separate names, identities, and experiences
These gangs are known for their dress code (hint: "stingy brim" fedora)
Latino Gangs
Define the anthropological view
Gangs appeal to adolescents longing for the tribal process that sustained their ancestors