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Gangs
The classification of gangs is helpful from a sociological and criminological standpoint. However, sociologists must be careful not to carelessly classify groups of individuals as gangs, given that the majority of what are known as street gangs are not as highly organized as the media has presented them to be (Weisel, n.d.). Some law enforcement officers have identified axes of classification based on age of membership, and their orientation toward socializing and partying on the one hand, versus pure delinquency on the other (Weisel, n.d.). Moreover, law enforcement acknowledges that most gangs are loosely knit rather than being hierarchical organizations. There are regional-based classification systems as well as classification systems that take into account the structure and function of the gangs. The urban gangs do tend to be more highly structured and better organized than gangs that are not based on specific urban jurisdictions (Weisel, n.d.). Focused on criminal behavior rather than petty delinquency, city gangs attract considerable media attention.
Street gangs are considered to be a universal phenomenon, even if "they are most evident in the United States," (Klein, n.d. p. 108). In the United States, gangs may be analyzed on the basis of location, ethnicity, gender, cultural diffusion, cohesiveness, crime patterns, and crime amplification (Klein, n.d.). Five fundamental classifications of street gangs emerge in the literature: the traditional gang, the neotraditional gang, the compressed gang, the collective gang, and the...
Using this classification system, researchers can take into account gangs as a sociological phenomenon. Gangs are subcultures, with their attendant norms, values, barriers to entry, membership rites, and hierarchies.
One of the main problems with the term "gang" is that it is value-laden. Gangs conjure up frightful imagery of delinquent or criminal groups of dangerous individuals -- mainly men. Often this Hollywood version of the gang is accurate, but most gangs are less stereotypical. It is unclear whether gangs should even be defined by their criminal behaviors, deviance, or delinquency patterns (Maxson, n.d.). Some classification systems impose arbitrary boundaries, such as the one between "street" gangs and "drug" gangs (Maxson, n.d.). At the same time, the classification of gangs according to structure and function, as well as organizational vision, can be helpful. Gangs can, in some cases, be classified based on their membership rules (Fleisher, n.d.)
Gangs can and should be viewed with the same type of analytical attention given to other organizations. Research reveals several factors that distinguish gangs from other organizations. First, gangs are usually comprised of marginalized populations, regardless of other factors and no matter where they are located (Klein, n.d.). Issues like political and economic disenfranchisement appear to be features shared in common by most gangs. However, females are a marginalized population and one that experiences serious political and economic disenfranchisement. Yet…
However, some gang members specialize in multiple criminal activities such as street robbery, human trafficking and drug trafficking. Street Gangs Street gangs are the major concern to parents, school administrators and the communities because they recruit students and the youths across the United States to enhance the growth of gang memberships. Street gangs are the most prevalent type of gangs in the United States because they influence a strong control in
Gangs as Culture and Subculture Subculture Gangs are a global presence. There are gangs in nearly every culture. While they are variations in intentions and behaviors, there are general patterns and basic characteristics of all gangs. The paper will briefly explore the definition of gangs, the history of gangs, the effects of them both locally & globally, as well as the reactions from the communities in which they gangs reside and conduct
However, educate him or her to be self-confident as few children who do not react as the intimidate desires is not likely to be selected as a fatality. Work with the child's school to deal with the problem as some school employees may be able to offer some sensible recommendation to help the child plus keep records of the events so that you can be comprehensive in your negotiations
Inmate Classification in Iowa Iowa Inmate Classification The classification system used for prison inmates is primarily designed to stratify prison populations by their tendency to commit violent acts, either in public or in the prison system (reviewed by Gaes and Camp, 2009). This approach is believed to increase the efficiency of a correctional system by housing nonviolent offenders in less costly facilities and to minimize the negative influence of the worst offenders
Law Enforcement Patrols and Gangs When the Police Are Called A call for police response by citizens is a service call, in which the public has an implicit assumption for immediate solutions. The motivations for citizens to call upon police intervention are cited falling into four classifications as; maintain social boundaries, relieve disrupting situations, counter-punching (the caller's own suspicious activities), or obtain emergency response services (Walker & Katz, 2008, p. 238). In
Gangs Introduction Gangs in America have formed the subject of a large number of research works, thereby becoming a growth sector (Sanchez-Jankowski, 2003). The definition of the term ‘gangs’ is: an ongoing informal or formal group, party, or alliance of at least three individuals whose primary activities include perpetrating at least one of the crimes listed below: 1) attacking using a lethal weapon, 2) murder, 3) burglary, 4) selling or holding in