Gangs
Stability and support from others are essential factors desired by most individuals. At times people are unable to attain these traits through conventional means, such as parents and family. Often these individuals begin to conform to delinquent groups and in many cases join gangs in order to satisfy their lacking emotions. Gangs serve as a bridge between adolescence and adulthood, when adult control and security is lacking. Norms are created by gangs, which are then accepted by group members, regardless of proper convention. The life accepted by gang members is one in which morality is no longer the source of proper decision making, and gang principals become the basis of judgment.
In a child’s early life, the parents are often the primary source of influence and attention. However, children between the ages of eight and fourteen seek out stable peer groups, both the number and variety of friendships increase as the children go through adolescence (Rathus 1988). A desire for acceptance by formed “cliques” or small groups of friends who share intimate knowledge and confidences becomes priority. In some instances, the peer group provides the social and emotional basis for antisocial activity, this transforms into a gang.
Gangs are groups of youths who engage in delinquent behavior; gang delinquency involves long-lived institutions that have distinct structure and organization. These groups include identifiable leadership, division of labor, rules, rituals, and possessions. Members have self-recognition of their gang status and use special vocabulary, clothing, signs, colors, and graffiti to identify themselves. Gang members set themselves apart from the community and are viewed as a separate entity by others. A commitment to criminal activity is expected, although even the most criminal gang members spend the bulk of their time in noncriminal activities (Warr 1993).
Gangs are sometimes viewed as uniquely American, but gangs have also been reported...
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