Teen Gangs

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, while the primary purpose of gangs may be to engage in criminal activity, they serve other social functions that attract teens as gang members. The author points out that researchers have developed a variety of different theories to explain the proliferation of gangs such as criminological theories, which focus on the social aspects of crime and gang membership. The author points out that the advocates of social disorganization theory suggest that this theory is more comprehensive than any of the criminological theories and may be able to supply a broader solution to the gang problem.

From the Paper:

"In addition, many people believe that gangs are only an urban problem. This impression has a basis in reality; the majority of gang activity is concentrated in large cities and suburban areas. Furthermore, these areas large urban and suburban areas are more likely to report long-established gang activity. However, gang activity is spreading to smaller urban and rural areas. The spread of gang activity may be very significant because of the composition differences between established and newer gangs."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cantillon, D., Davidson, W., & Schweitzer, J. (2003). Measuring community social organization: sense of community as a mediator in social disorganization theory.Journal of Criminal Justice, 31, 321-339.
• Jones, D. et al. (2004). Street gangs: a review of theory, interventions, and implications for corrections. Ottawa: Research Branch Correctional Service of Canada.
• National Youth Gang Center. (2006). National youth gang survey analysis. Retrieved November 2, 2006 from National Youth Gang CenterWeb site: http://www.iir.com/nygc/nygsa/
• Osgood, W. & Anderson, L. (2004). Unstructured socializing and rates of delinquency. Criminology, 42(3), 519-549.
• Silver, E. & Miller, L. (2004). Sources of informal social control in Chicago neighborhoods. Criminology, 42(3), 551-583.

More papers on Teen Gangs:

• Essay # 98785 : "Antidote for Gangs"
• Book Review # 103730 : "Winning the War Against Youth Gangs"
• Essay # 66419 : "Motivation of Teen Hate Crimes"

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