Abstract
This paper studies why and how teenagers become involved in committing hate crimes -- from white supremacists to gang-bangers. The author examines several recent sociological studies, including one by Joy G. Dryfoos, author of "Adolescents at Risk", which concludes that insufficient parental bonding can lead to antisocial behavior. The author also looks at a seven-year study of gang members in three large urban areas (Boston, New York and Los Angeles) conducted by M.S. Jankowski. The paper outlines the social character structure that Jankowski found is most common to gang members. Then the paper examines additional influences, such as drug use, family structure (or lack thereof) and the media. The paper concludes that teenagers join gangs and hate groups because the existing institutions that are supposed to meet their social and educational needs - their family, the school, the church, the community - have failed to do so.

From the Paper
"Recent studies have shown that high-risk young people share several factors in common. According to Joy G. Dryfoos, author of Adolescents at Risk, 'Having insufficient bonding to parents, having parents who do not monitor, supervise, offer guidance, or communicate with their children, and having parent who are either too authoritarian or too permissive are all strongly associated with (delinquent) behaviors.'"

Tags:gangs, skinheads, white, supremecists, antisocial, family, social, structure

Abstract
This paper reviews the movie "Crash," directed by Paul Haggis, as an analogy of how we as a society deal with life, people and our own experiences when it comes to race. The writer gives several examples from the movie, beginning with the opening scene, to demonstrate that Haggis' goal is to point out that American society places racial stereotyping on each and every race, leaving none untouched. The writer explains how the movie shows that it not only occurs between strangers, but also amongst those in committed relationships, such as Detective Graham and his girlfriend Ria. Further, out of ignorance it is extended to other races, as in the scene with the Persian father and daughter in the gunshop, where the viewer is reminded that after 9/11, all Middle Eastern people became potential terrorists in the eyes of American society.

From the Paper
"In one of the first scenes of the movie, Jean Cabot and her husband, District Attorney Rick Cabot are walking down the street in a predominately white L.A. neighborhood when they begin to approach two black men. Jean clutches her husband's arm out of fear. As they reach their car, Jean's fears are confirmed; the two black men hold them at gunpoint and steal the car. After the incident happens, she blames herself because she knew she was going to be car jacked by the two black men and her angry rant begins to reveal her racist views toward blacks. Haggis uses this scene to point out that even in such an inconspicuous situation, with no proper reason to become suspicious, Americans ultimately give in to their bias stereotypes. This is an example of racial stereotyping that we and our society as a whole face today each day."

Tags:discriminatory anger interaction outrageousness repercussion negative, gang banger, Jihad

Abstract
This paper explains that Kody Scott's autobiography "Monster" describes the his transformation into a ruthless killing machine and then back into a devout Muslim and a member of New Afrikan Independence Movement. The author points out that Kody's early childhood and teenage years conform well to various criminological theories, which are discussed in this paper.The paper relates that, as the social control theory describes, Scott developed an attachment to his family and became committed to make his family's life worth living. The author reports that Kody changed his name to Sanyika Shakur and dedicated his life to eradicating "gangsterism".

Table of Contents:
Criminological Theories
Introduction
The Arousal Theory
Differential Association Theory
The Social Learning Theory
Social Cognitive Theory
The Self-Control Theory
The Nature Assumption Theory
The Social-Control Theory
Change in Behavior over Time

From the Paper
"Thomas Hobbes in his theory of social control suggests that people are naturally deviant, and that they want to satisfy their instinctive urges. However, they don't adopt the deviant nature due to four reasons described as attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs. In Kody's case, he was more attached to his fellow gang members than he was to his own family. He didn't have much commitment to anything but his gang. He wasn't involved in any activities other than his gang. As for his beliefs he started out believing that he was wrong, but as time passed he began to rationalize what he was doing."

Tags:banger, attachment, commitment, involvement, teenager