Abstract This paper discusses the problem of Asian-American gangs in the United States and attempts to explain why many Asian youths that have immigrated to the United States become gangmembers. The paper looks at the socio-economic reasons and the cultural reasons as well as the Asian mentality that makes gang life appear attractive to Asian youth and then takes a look at certain aspects of gang life including attitudes, subcultures and fighting between different Asian groups.
From the Paper "When one wonders why Asian-American young people become gang members, they might want to listen to Vietnamese observer Le Xuan Kho. He suggests that Asian-Americans refugees share a common tendency, after coming to America. They like, he says, to cluster together and form community organizations. "[This] can be traced back to a traditional pattern common to all agrarian societies in Southeast Asia," Le says. (Cassidy)"
Tags: indochinese, language, vietnamese, independent, family, member, village, citizen, criminals
Abstract Gang involvement among teenagers is a well-researched topic of interest. Themes such as age of participation, reasons for gang involvement, demographics for gang relations, initiation rights, and family relations among gangmembers have all been studied and examined in current literature. The first section of this paper presents an overall view of that literature and discusses those studies and their findings. The second section of the paper presents a research plan with the hypothesis that gangactivities are complex in nature and can result from many different influences. The study examines the relationship between gangactivities and the independent variables and summarizes the methods and procedures used in this study. The paper includes tables.
From the Paper "Arthur and Erickson (1992) found similar results when they identified four factors that are associated with gang involvement in schools. When youths experience a sense of isolation, they tend to seek others that can relate to them. Additionally, gang members tend to target these youths for membership. The isolated youths feel a need to gain control over their areas, especially in high population school systems, where there is more competition and less likelihood to stand out in sports or other school sponsored activities. In lower income areas, the lack of social structure within the school systems lends to the alienation of youths, and increases even further the likelihood of gang involvement (Arthur and Erickson, 1992)."
Tags: teenage, self, esteem, National, Gang, Crime, Research, Center
This paper examines the increase in gangs and gang related violence in America, as well as the available programs and strategies to combat this growing problem.
Abstract The writer of this informative paper details the growing number of gangs and membership to gangs which have become a public security threat that communities are now recognizing that must be addressed. This paper supplies relevant statistics and data relating to gangs and various acts of gang violence. Approximately half of all youth gangmembers are 18 years or older and thus more likely to become involved in serious and violent crimes than younger gangmembers. This paper discusses the spread of gangs across America. While gangs have been a problem in L.A. for years, and account for roughly 50% of the city's murders, gangs are now responsible for 41% of the homicides in Omaha, Nebraska. This paper details the various preventative measures and programs available to curtail this growing problem. The writer contends and explains why preventing adolescents from joining gangs seems to be the most cost-effective long-term strategy. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has implemented a school-based gang prevention program that has shown positive preliminary results. The writer of this paper stresses the need for communities to organize a collaborative approach to gang problems from the outset rather than beginning with a predominantly suppression strategy.
From the Paper "Since 1980, the United States has witnessed a rapid proliferation of youth gangs. According to a 1998 Juvenile Justice Bulletin, there were roughly 286 gang jurisdictions with some 2,000 gangs and approximately 100,000 gang members in 1980. By 1996, there were some 4,800 jurisdictions with more than 31,000 gangs and an estimated 846,000 gang members. In an eleven-city survey of eighth graders, researchers found than nine percent were currently gang members, while seventeen percent stated they had belonged to a gang at some point in their lives. Other studies show similar percentages and also indicated that gang members were responsible for a large proportion of violent offenses."
Abstract The writer of this paper details relevant statistics and data regarding the growing problem of violence and gang related incidents in prisons, both in America and around the world. This paper cites federal reports which state that there was a 400% increase in prison gang disturbances during the 1990s. This paper examines the unique management issues facing prison guards and administrators in trying to control the violence. The writer explores several published articles with information and solutions to the gang violence problem in prisons. This paper delves into the reason gangs exist in prison, which include current gangmembers who enter prisons who are quick to locate affiliate members from their own gang. Young people who enter prison for the first time learn quickly that the fastest way to get protection from the older, tougher inmates is to join a gang. The writer discusses the importance of systematically monitoring gangs in prison for purposes of seizing drugs and other illegal contraband. This paper also examines the lack of rules or restrictions in dealing with gangs in prison.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
The Statistics
Monitoring
Restrictions
Characteristics Common to all the Gangs Around the World Include
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "Gang activity through prison is most often tracked by a data base computer system. This insures that an inmate who is known to belong to a particular gang is in the computer data base and can be tracked if he re-offends and goes to another prison or comes back to the same one.
"Also, three systems use regularly scheduled reports, incident reports and intake interviews to track gangs, and in Connecticut, Nebraska and Tennessee, gang coordinators are present in the facilities. Utah uses a graduated point system to document gang activity before the information is officially validated and logged, and Delaware refers all cases of gang-related activity to its internal affairs section."
Abstract The paper describes the gang problem as a serious one, in which the dynamics create a cycle of feeling alone, finding a "family" in the gang membership, committing acts of violence for the gang and becoming incarcerated. The paper discusses how the legislative action that is aimed at enhancing punishment packages will provide leverage for those who prosecute gangmembers. It will also act as incentives for those who have not yet been caught to change their lives before getting into legal trouble. The paper relates how statistics have shown that since the introduction of such packages, the gang problem has begun to taper off or stabilize which indicates they are, in fact, effective.
From the Paper "The gang issue in America is not a new one. Gangs have been around for many years but in the past couple of years the violence and gang related crime has escalated significantly. Police departments across the nation have developed gang units in which the specific purpose is to target and curtail the area's gang criminal activity. There are many different gangs, with many different names however, they all have certain commonalities in that they are driven by criminal activity, they have involvement with the drug industry and they recruit members to keep their numbers strong."
Abstract The paper discusses the gang problem where the dynamics create a cycle of feeling alone, finding a "family" in the gang membership, committing acts of violence for the gang and becoming incarcerated. The paper discusses how the legislative action that is aimed at enhancing punishment packages will provide leverage for those who prosecute gangmembers, as well as incentives, for those who have not yet been caught, to change their lives. The paper reveals that statistics show that since the introduction of such packages, the gang problem has begun to taper off or stabilize.
From the Paper "The gang issue in America is not a new one. Gangs have been around for many years but in the past couple of years the violence and gang related crime has escalated significantly. Police departments across the nation have developed gang units in which the specific purpose is to target and curtail the area's gang criminal activity. There are many different gangs, with many different names however, they all have certain commonalities in that they are driven by criminal activity, they have involvement with the drug industry and they recruit members to keep their numbers strong."
This paper is a literature review of youth gangs in schools, focusing on a historical overview, characteristics and traits of youth gangmembers and prevention of youth gang membership and activity.
Abstract This paper explains that, although youth gangactivities in schools continue to increase, intensify and spread to small towns and rural areas, youth gangs are not new. The author believes that,when institutions and moral visions fail, then individuals will try to manufacture structures to replace them; in the case of youth gangs, the creators of these structures are young people, with little experience of the world and little knowledge of alternatives. This paper points out that a common sign of gangactivity moving into the neighborhood or into the region of the school is graffiti, which is one of the most common ways for gangs to communicate, identify their turf, issue challenges and attract other adherents.
Table of Contents
Background
Organization of Review
Historical Overview
Characteristics and Traits
Prevention
Rationale for Study
Summary and Conclusions
From the Paper "This is an important historical development, representing the extension of gang behavior and gang culture into new regions of the country and with new styles. While the gangs may have begun in imitation of such gangs as the Crips and Bloods, and may still wear typical gang clothing and paraphernalia, they are more of an organization of those youth who are prone to violence and delinquent behavior than they are instances of ethnic turf battles. Again, another movie might be helpful in thinking about these kinds of gangs. The movie Grease portrayed a certain class of young teen-agers who had clothing, culture, and behaviors in common. Yet, they were not seen as youth gangs, but as a faction or clique within the overall high school environment. In 1999, however, these greasers are more likely to be organized into youth gangs of the type identified in Puyallup. They have borrowed some of the behavior and culture from the urban gangs, become more organized, and engaged in more conflict between groups. They tend to harass and intimidate the other students."
Abstract This paper examines how the causes of school violence extend beyond gangs and gang membership, but how gangs are a significant contributing factor. It analyzes how gangmembers participate in violent acts at school and how the presence of gangs increases both the availability of weapons and the perceived need to seek the protection of a gang. It looks at the typically three different approaches that are used to manage the risk of school violence-- precaution, intervention and enforcement. Precaution includes taking steps to minimize the opportunity for violence such as metal detectors, intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities and enforcement are those actions taken once an act of violence has occurred.
From the Paper "Intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities, and on crisis intervention for students who participate in violent (or pre-violent) acts. Effective intervention requires that school personnel and law enforcement work together to ensure that incidents are reported accurately and that opportunities for early intervention are not missed. However, some school officials note that while law enforcement has been generally helpful in areas such as how to conduct a search legally, there remains a lack of knowledge among school personnel about how to conduct such a search effectively (Zolkos, 1996, p. 3)."
Abstract The proposed research examines whether young boys are attracted to gangs because they meet needs which are not met by their families. The study first presents a review of the pertinent research. The first section of the review discusses the basic nature of gangs. The second section examines literature related to the thesis that gangs meet needs that are unmet by gangmembers' families. The third and final section of the review develops conclusions about gangs and the needs thesis. The study tests the "traditional family" theory of gang attraction. Specifically, the study determines whether or not gangs serve as a substitute for traditional families in terms of meeting the needs of these children and adolescents who compose its membership by collecting data from high school males who are gangmembers to find out if they perceive the gang as meeting those basic needs that tend to be met by family. Further, in an effort to get additional insight into gangmembers' perceptions of the gang, meeting their needs, some comparisons is made between their perceptions and those of their non-gang counterparts.
From the Paper "This study focuses on gangs that fall within the scope of the last provided definition. Prior to the early 1800s, no gangs fitting this definition could be found in America. However, from the beginning of the European settlement in America, there was gang-like activity, especially as class distinctions developed (Olen, 1991). Gang members tended to be from the poorer classes and were typically composed of members of the same race or ethnic backgrounds.
These early gangs banded together for protection or financial gain. In the 19th century, criminally-oriented gangs were first formed. These gangs were formed as the result of a worsening economy and a growing population that increased competition for jobs; soon, gangs began to specialized in crime and became a part of America's cities (Quicker, 1983)."
Abstract 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 gangmembers. 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."
The paper examines the corruption of William M. Tweed, the "Boss" of Nineteenth Century New York City and his relationship with street gangs in the same period.
Abstract This paper examines the activities of William M. Tweed, a major political boss in New York during the 19th century. In particular, the paper examines how Tweed used criminal devices along with strategic relationships with gangmembers in order to rule over the city. In order to illustrate his case, the paper draws upon a number of sources, including Martin Scorsese's 2002 film "Gangs of New York". The paper then describes the "Five Points" neighborhood of New York and the exceptionally hard life new immigrants and residents of this neighborhood faced and how this influenced the formation of rival street gangs. The paper examines how Tweed exploited these gangs in order to further his own interests.
From the Paper "At the same time this corrupt system was ruling over the streets of New York, the impoverished Irish immigrants finally began standing up against the xenophobic American system which kept them poor. The riots which broke out at the end of the film represent the extreme unrest which had resonated within the minds of both native Americans as well as foreign born newcomers who were forced into a service which they did not truly understand. As violence erupted on the streets of New York, a new age of New England politics was beginning to take shape. The riots depicted in the film "Gangs of New York" represent the dissent of the poor Irish class with both the larger American government as well as the corrupt political system of New York City at the time. This swayed much of the political weight away from corrupt agents such as the infamous Tweed, who was later convicted by the state of New York for embezzlement of city funds and various other crimes which typified his position in office. He later died in jail, separated far away from the millions of dollars he and his criminal thugs helped to cipher away from the city of New York and all of its necessities."
Abstract In this article, the writer explores the trans-national nature of the 18th Street gang. The writer explains that strictly speaking, for a gang to be classified as trans-national, the gang has to have its presence in more than one country. This essay explores the reasons due to which this particular gang finds sympathizers and members in different countries. It is argued here that the motivation to spread out and seek to establish roots in other places is because of the very nature of this gang and because of the history of its inception. The writer maintains that there are widespread consequences for the trans-national nature of the 18th Street Gang. This essay shows that some of the trans-nationalism also comes from trans-culturalism. The writer concludes that illegal immigration and deportation of gangmembers is the key mechanism by which the 18th Street Gang has become a global gang.
Outline:
Introduction
Precedence for Trans-National Gangs in the United States
Latino Trans-National Gangs 18th Street Gang-Precedence for Trans-Nationalism
18th Street Gang as Trans-National
Conclusion
From the Paper "Even middle school children are pushed into membership, sometimes against their wills, and eventually undergo initiation. This ensures the next generation of gangsters, increasing the membership and keeping the gang going.
"This level of openness towards membership has a historical precedence. This gang originated in the 1960s because an older gang, Clanton 14, which consisted of Mexicans and Caucasians who were already established in Los Angeles refused to accept the newly arrived Mexicans. These newly arrived, illegal immigrants, feeling ostracized and with language and cultural barriers to assimilation, banded together to form the 18th Street gang. They retain the character of outsiders, which makes them easier to accept outsiders--even from other races."
Abstract This paper aims to provide a basic understanding of the sociology of gangs, including the definition of gangs, the main reasons for joining gangs, sociological characteristics commonly found in gangmembers, behavior of gangs and the impact of gangs on today's society. According to guidelines, a gang is best defined as a group of youths that commit crimes and identifies with other members of the gang for this purpose. It discusses the conflict theory, that the juvenile becomes a delinquent individual due to conflicts and strain theory, that people are socialized to desire a cultural goal but denied the means to reach it and addresses how these theories can be applied to society.
From the Paper "According to Merton's strain theory, gang members are products of their society. Different social classes have distinct styles of crime due to differential access to institutionalized means of achieving socially acceptable goals. Therefore, youths that are economically and socially challenged do not have equal opportunities to financial success. Therefore, they may be more drawn into certain crimes than youths that have had better opportunities. "
Abstract The paper discusses three explanations for the behaviour of gangs in society and notes that their behaviour is composed of a complex of social, cultural and psychological contributory components. The paper relates that increases in gang incidences appear as a result of social, cultural and economic activity and that evidence shows that gang involvement is a socio-economical phenomenon and should be dealt with in this category. The paper further investigates the psychological point of view and gives explanation and understanding for this type of activity and suggests that only a criminal justice policy can correct these types of behaviour.
From the Paper "Gangs have been the subject of detailed scholarly analysis for almost a century, with this analysis tending almost from the beginning to recognize gangs not simply as a criminal justice problem, or an example of disturbed youth, but rather as a form of social organization that develops in response to a range of specific social, economic and cultural stimuli, and actually comprises a spectrum of behaviours which - although often deviant and anti-social - nonetheless represent a logical response to these stimuli."
Abstract This paper discusses the need for effective law enforcement policies in the U.S. regarding juvenile gangs rather than the present policies which have arisen out of research that has been sensationalized or misinterpreted to the point that it is meaningless for law enforcement agencies or policymakers to use in formulating effective interventions or other relevant programs. The paper proposes that policies for dealing with juvenile gangs should be guided by questions looking at the reality of the juvenile gang problem in the United States today, the incidence of violence associated with gang memberships and the impact the definition of "juvenile" has on gangmembers who enter the juvenile justice system in the U.S. Additionally, the paper asserts that development of policies on juvenile gangs must be guided by questions looking at which law enforcement programs and community initiatives have proven effective in reducing the incidence of gang membership and violence in inner cities and whether or not juveniles can be prevented from joining gangs in the first place. The study proposes to use an action research methodology to answer the questions raised in the paper.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Historical Perspective
Statement of the Problem
Proposed Future Direction
Summary
From the Paper "This renewed interest in juvenile justice policy generally and in highly punitive interventive measures specifically has taken place in spite of a growing body of research that indicates the incidence for most types of juvenile offending have remained relatively stable over the past 20 years; in fact, the majority of crimes that are committed by juvenile offenders are property offenses such as theft and vandalism rather than violent personal crimes. According to Wolcott, the rates of property offenses decreased during the period 1974 and 1984, but increased slowly between 1985 and 1991 (these rates still did not reach the 1974 levels, though). This author reports that property crime arrest rates have actually remained constant since 1992, but juveniles were responsible for 20 percent to 25 percent of all property offenses committed in the United States annually between 1981 and 1995 (U.S. Department of Justice, 1996)."
