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Chapter 21 - Gangs and Gang Violence

from Part II - Problems Related to Crime and Violence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2018

By
Erika Gebo
Edited by
A. Javier Treviño
A. Javier Treviño
Affiliation:
Wheaton College, Massachusetts
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Summary

Gangs are a social problem because of the violence they cause in communities and because of the long-term deleterious effects that membership has on individuals who belong to gangs. There are no consensus definitions for gangs, gang members, and gang crimes, though the strengths and challenges of popular definitions are discussed in this chapter. Gangs develop from core structural problems and individuals join gangs as a result of a variety of socioecological factors. Meanwhile, gang violence occurs due to complex interplays between individuals and gangs. This chapter will delve into the historical development of gangs. Theoretical explanations for gang formation, gang joining, and gang desistence are examined along with the use of violence. Finally, attention is given to prevention of gangs, gang membership, and gang violence.

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Chapter
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The Cambridge Handbook of Social Problems , pp. 363 - 380
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2018

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