Gangs have existed in the US for many decades. While gang involvement increased in the late 1980s and early 1990s, numbers started declining in the late 1990s. Gangs are typically made up of young males seeking belonging, protection, and status. Like other groups, gangs form due to human desires for psychological and resource security through emotional bonds. While criminal activities are concerning, gangs fulfill normal human needs similarly to other organizations through features such as colors, initiation, hierarchy, and recruitment. Effective prevention focuses on strengthening communities and families to reduce the attractiveness of gang involvement.

1. GangsGangs
Gangs are not a new phenomenon in the US. ForGangs are not a new phenomenon in the US. For
example:example:
 Philadelphia was trying to devise a way to deal with roaming youthPhiladelphia was trying to devise a way to deal with roaming youth
disrupting the city in 1791.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:
IrishIrish Jewish Italian African-AmericanJewish Italian African-American Chinese RussianChinese Russian
Mexican-American Puerto Ricans Vietnamese HaitianMexican-American Puerto Ricans Vietnamese Haitian
 There appears to have been anThere appears to have been an increase in gang involvement in theincrease in gang involvement in the
1980s, and a subsequent decline in the 1990s1980s, and a subsequent decline in the 1990s..

2. Current Events AssignmentCurrent Events Assignment
 You are to complete the following task inYou are to complete the following task in
paragraph form, using proper Socialparagraph form, using proper Social
Studies format (look behind you!):Studies format (look behind you!):
 Identify the crime (ex. Murder, assault,Identify the crime (ex. Murder, assault,
shoplifting, etc)shoplifting, etc)
 Categorize the crime (violent, property, felony,Categorize the crime (violent, property, felony,
etc)etc)
 Explain the possible cause of the crime usingExplain the possible cause of the crime using
our information on one of the following:our information on one of the following:
classical, biological, psychological, orclassical, biological, psychological, or
sociological.sociological.

3. It is generally agreed that gang activity and membershipIt is generally agreed that gang activity and membership
increased through much of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.increased through much of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
However, numbers started declining in the late ‘90sHowever, numbers started declining 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 weThere are still methodological concerns about how we
count.count.
GangsGangs

4. GangsGangs
Structural Changes in the 1980sStructural Changes in the 1980s
may have fostered increases inmay have fostered increases in
gangs:gangs:
1.1. Kids are most impoverishedKids are most impoverished
group, and poverty had risengroup, and poverty had risen
againagain..
2.2. Economic restructuring occurred.Economic restructuring occurred.
 Increases in low-wage, low-Increases in low-wage, low-
benefits jobsbenefits jobs
 More women with kidsMore 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 inRacism and denial of inclusion in
the economic systemthe economic system continued incontinued in
poor urban neighborhoods, whilepoor urban neighborhoods, while
upwardly mobile minorities leftupwardly mobile minorities left
minority neighborhoodsminority neighborhoods
3.3. Higher rates of single-parentHigher rates of single-parent
familiesfamilies—less supervision and—less supervision and
attachment.attachment.
4.4. Smaller families. Lone childrenSmaller families. Lone children
seek friendsseek friends. More protection with. More protection with
peers. More gang involvement.peers. More gang involvement.
5.5. Volatile drug marketsVolatile drug markets createdcreated
economic opportunities for youthseconomic opportunities for youths
and gangs.and gangs.
6.6. Crackdowns on youth behaviors.Crackdowns on youth behaviors.
We tend to tighten our bonds inWe tend to tighten our bonds in
times of trouble. Hatfields vs.times of trouble. Hatfields vs.
McCoysMcCoys
7.7. Normalization of gangsNormalization of gangs in youthin youth
culture.culture.

5. GangsGangs
 NormalizationNormalization

6. GangsGangs
Social Structure of Gangs:Social Structure of Gangs:
1.1. Members are typically young teenage males of similar ethnic orMembers are typically young teenage males of similar ethnic or
racial backgroundsracial backgrounds (usually from “broken homes” in the inner-(usually from “broken homes” in the inner-
cities).cities).
2.2. LoyaltyLoyalty and adherenceand adherence to a strict gang codeto a strict gang code (i.e., the gang is(i.e., the gang is
more important than anything, don’t squeal) is expected.more important than anything, don’t squeal) is expected.
3.3. Cohesiveness among members is typically loose, but increasesCohesiveness among members is typically loose, but increases
as recognition from society increases.as recognition from society increases.
4.4. Loyalty and camaraderie are solidified by participation in groupLoyalty and camaraderie are solidified by participation in group
activities that are often antisocial, illegal, violent, and criminal.activities that are often antisocial, illegal, violent, and criminal.
5.5. Goals, roles, and responsibilities are loose, but some have theseGoals, roles, and responsibilities are loose, but some have these
unspoken, but understood.unspoken, but understood.
6.6. There is an established hierarchyThere is an established hierarchy..
7.7. Identification with a local territory (often referred to as turf)Identification with a local territory (often referred to as turf) isis
commonplace in the neighborhood as well as on schoolcommonplace in the neighborhood as well as on school
campuses.campuses.
8.8. Recruitment is an ongoing process, especially at schoolsRecruitment is an ongoing process, especially at schools..

7. GangsGangs
How 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 nine-years-Younger active members (some as young as eight- or nine-years-
old)old)
2.2. Evidence of ethnic and racial crossover in multiethnicEvidence of ethnic and racial crossover in multiethnic
neighborhoodsneighborhoods
3.3. Growth in female gangsGrowth in female gangs
4.4. Established cliques or sets in smaller cities and suburbanEstablished cliques or sets in smaller cities and suburban
communitiescommunities
5.5. Acquisition of large sums of money from illegal drug markets andAcquisition of large sums of money from illegal drug markets and
prostitution for some gangsprostitution for some gangs
6.6. Frequent use of drugs and alcoholFrequent use of drugs and alcohol
7.7. More violenceMore violence
8.8. Use of sophisticated communications devices and automaticUse of sophisticated communications devices and automatic
weaponsweapons
9.9. Employment of guerrilla warfare-like tacticsEmployment of guerrilla warfare-like tactics

8. GangsGangs
But let’s face it . . . Gangs are not the leading cause of violence in theBut let’s face it . . . Gangs are not the leading cause of violence in the
US.US.

9. Reasons to Join GangsReasons to Join Gangs
According to Research,According to Research,
Reasons for GangReasons for Gang
Involvement are:Involvement are:
1.1. A search for loveA search for love, structure, structure
and disciplineand discipline
2.2. A sense of belongingA sense of belonging,,
commitment, acceptancecommitment, acceptance
3.3. The need for recognition andThe need for recognition and
power,power, self-worth and statusself-worth and status
4.4. Training,Training, excitement andexcitement and
activitiesactivities
5.5. ToTo make moneymake money
6.6. The need forThe need for physical Safetyphysical Safety
and protectionand protection
7.7. A family/neighborhoodA family/neighborhood
traditiontradition

10. GangsGangs
According 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 psychologicalTo sum it up, people are gregarious and join groups for psychological
security, resource security and for emotionally satisfying bonds.security, resource security and for emotionally satisfying bonds.
These reasons for joining gangs sound like reasons people join anyThese reasons for joining gangs sound like reasons people join any
other organization.other organization.

11. 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”

12. GangsGangs
 Colors or LogosColors or Logos

13. GangsGangs
 InitiationInitiation

14. GangsGangs
 Secret SocietiesSecret Societies
Independent Order of Oddfellows, Order of Rebekah

15. GangsGangs
 ConformityConformity

16. GangsGangs
 HomogeneityHomogeneity

17. GangsGangs
 HierarchyHierarchy

18. GangsGangs
 Marking TurfMarking Turf

19. GangsGangs
 CompetitionCompetition

20. GangsGangs
 RecruitmentRecruitment

21. GangsGangs
Gangs are like:Gangs are like:
 Fraternities &Fraternities &
SororitiesSororities
 LodgesLodges
 Sports OrganizationsSports Organizations
 Political GroupsPolitical Groups
How?How?
 Colors or logosColors or logos
 InitiationsInitiations
 Secret SocietySecret Society
 Demand for Conformity andDemand for Conformity and
LoyaltyLoyalty
 Homogeneity of MembershipHomogeneity of Membership
 HierarchyHierarchy
 Marking Territory with SymbolsMarking Territory with Symbols
or Objectsor Objects
 Competition with otherCompetition with other
organizationsorganizations
 RecruitmentRecruitment
Gangs are not “Abnormal”Gangs are not “Abnormal”

22. GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
1.1. More satisfying families and communitiesMore satisfying families and communities. If the family. If the family
or significant others are the source of love, guidance,or significant others are the source of love, guidance,
and protection that youths seek, they are not forced toand protection that youths seek, they are not forced to
search for these basic needs from a gang.search for these basic needs from a gang.

23. GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
1.1. More satisfying families and communitiesMore satisfying families and communities. If the family. If the family
or significant others are the source of love, guidance,or significant others are the source of love, guidance,
and protection that youths seek, they are not forced toand protection that youths seek, they are not forced to
search for these basic needs from a gang.search for these basic needs from a gang.
2.2. Educational attachmentEducational attachment. Young people who. Young people who
successfully participate in and complete educationsuccessfully participate in and complete education
have greater opportunities to participate as rewardedhave greater opportunities to participate as rewarded
and contributing adults.and contributing adults.

24. GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
2.2. Educational attachmentEducational attachment. Young people who. Young people who
successfully participate in and complete educationsuccessfully participate in and complete education
have greater opportunities to participate as rewardedhave greater opportunities to participate as rewarded
and contributing adults.and contributing adults.
3.3. Graffiti removalGraffiti removal. Removal reduces the chance that. Removal reduces the chance that
crimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti tocrimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti to
mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim creditmark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit
for a crime, quick removal is essential.for a crime, quick removal is essential.

25. GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
3.3. Graffiti removalGraffiti removal. Removal reduces the chance that. Removal reduces the chance that
crimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti tocrimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti to
mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim creditmark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit
for a crime, quick removal is essential.for a crime, quick removal is essential.
4.4. Recreational programsRecreational programs. Can get youths involved in. Can get youths involved in
activities and belonging that would serve the sameactivities and belonging that would serve the same
kind of function that gangs serve.kind of function that gangs serve.

26. GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
4.4. Recreational programsRecreational programs. Can get youths involved in. Can get youths involved in
activities and belonging that would serve the sameactivities and belonging that would serve the same
kind of function that gangs serve.kind of function that gangs serve.
5.5. Conflict resolution programsConflict resolution programs. Can teach potential. Can teach potential
gangsters how to better deal with conflicts and helpgangsters how to better deal with conflicts and help
reduce gang intimidation tactics.reduce gang intimidation tactics.

27. GangsGangs
Gang Prevention Strategies:Gang Prevention Strategies:
5.5. Conflict resolution programsConflict resolution programs. Can teach potential. Can teach potential
gangsters how to better deal with conflicts and helpgangsters how to better deal with conflicts and help
reduce gang intimidation tactics.reduce gang intimidation tactics.
6.6. Fight high-density poverty and hopelessness.Fight high-density poverty and hopelessness.
Combating conditions of urban slums removes theCombating conditions of urban slums removes the
structural conditions conducive to gangs.structural conditions conducive to gangs.
““TThe chief problem in any community cursed with crime ishe chief problem in any community cursed with crime is
not the punishment of the criminals, but the preventingnot the punishment of the criminals, but the preventing
of the young from being trained to crime.” — WEBof the young from being trained to crime.” — WEB
DuboisDubois

28. GangsGangs