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Gang membership

Gang membership. Why do juveniles join gangs?. Defining gangs. No definition of gang membership is complete gang problems are not limited to the urban populations data on gangs usually comes from two sources: police surveys self reporting. Defining gangs(NYGC). Three or more members

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Gang membership

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  1. Gang membership Why do juveniles join gangs?

  2. Defining gangs • No definition of gang membership is complete • gang problems are not limited to the urban populations • data on gangs usually comes from two sources: • police surveys self reporting

  3. Defining gangs(NYGC) • Three or more members • ages 12 to 24 years • a name and some sort of identity • generally uses symbols like clothing, graffiti and hand signs • degree of permanence and organization • elevated level all the involvement in delinquent or criminal activity

  4. Interstitial group • Recruiting new members • Setting goals • Controlling the neighborhood drug trade • Assigning roles • Certain gang members may have specific jobs • Developing status • Grooming young members for leadership roles

  5. What social conditions allow gangs to exist? • lack of parental supervision • surplus of free time • ineffective or alienating social resources • a place to congregate • lack of opportunities for traditional pursuits like meaningful jobs

  6. 30% of respondents report membership 65% of all delinquent acts by gang members

  7. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs Self-actualization esteem Love or acceptance safety Basic physiological needs

  8. physiological • A person satisfies their basic needs in order to complete homeostasis

  9. safety • The individual attempts to create water from a chaotic world • the individual attempts to insure their survival • the individual groups and interacts with people who should care for them and they should care for

  10. safety • The need of safety goes unfulfilled in an abusive household

  11. Love or acceptance • This need is filled when a person receives a sense of belonging from others • no human will allow this on the field need for any length of time

  12. esteem • Self-esteem • esteem from other people

  13. Self-actualization • Many do not fulfilled its need in their entire life • spiritual improvement

  14. Unmet needs • If the juvenile has unfulfilled were unmet needs and his or her life they will seek it elsewhere

  15. families • Families give juveniles a sense of belonging • loyalty • most families can provide loyalty by physical presence • support • support is what a juvenile really needs

  16. Gang membership bonding • Initiation • creates a common bond amongst members • the more demanding the initiation, the more loyal the members

  17. The gang membership professionalism • there is a hierarchy among teachers police officers and attorneys • the more educated, committed and steadfast a professional number is the more they are respected • gang membership often has more concrete examples of professionalism

  18. Gang membership has traditions • Requirement to know history of the organization • symbolic references • institutionalization

  19. Gang membership has sanctions • Sanctions promote professionalism • failure to meet standards of membership results in sanctions • the more severe the sanctions, the greater the incentive towards professionalism

  20. Gang membership has a common enemy • Law enforcement • mainstream society • other factions • solidarity creation

  21. Gang membership has a common goal • Economic goals • Common cause goals

  22. Gang membership can be economically satisfying • A small percentage of members make fairly good living

  23. Gang membership can be a response to strain • In Agnew’s strain theory, everyone wants to emulate the middle class

  24. Merton’s Modes of Individual Adaptation + = acceptance; - = rejection; +/- = rejection and substitution

  25. Strain • The Lower Class wants the success level of the Middle Class, Creating Strain • There are Fewer Opportunities for this Success (Unequal Distribution of Means to Achieve Goals)

  26. Formation of Gangs and Disruptive Groups • If Success cannot be attained by the same route the Middle Class can do it, The Lower Class can be successful by violating the Law • This is Innovation

  27. Crime • Innovation • I cannot achieve through legitimate means • Retreatism • Reject the Goals, Withdraw Mentally or Physically • Rebellion • New Goals

  28. Society encourages gang membership • Membership is a product of post-World War II work ethic • both partners in the working world • less supervision • paradigm shift of the economy

  29. Is gang membership here to stay? • What direction is society going? • Does anyone really care?

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