NCJ Number
196213
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2002 Pages: 101-113
Date Published
2002
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study compared the group context of a small sample of young people in England to that of United States (U.S.) style gangs.
Abstract
The question of whether or not U.S. style gangs exist in English cities is not clear. A gang is defined as any adolescent group who is perceived as an aggregation by others, recognizes themselves as denotable (almost invariably with a group name), and has been involved in enough delinquent incidents to elicit a negative response from the neighborhood residents and/or enforcement agencies. This study compared the group context of a small sample of young offenders in an English inner-city area to this definition and to certain gang characteristics, such as group cohesion, territoriality, and leadership role allocation. The research is ethnographic in nature, consisting of interviews and observations. Results show that the groups of young people consisted of between four to eight persons who met and knew each other primarily through residential proximity. Some activities they engaged in included school, youth clubs, and other youth-oriented programs. It was the young people’s failure or lack of interest in school, or other youth activities offered in the area, that allowed them ample free time to associate with other like individuals to form their group. Companionship and sharing similar interests and activities were the central reasons why the young people coalesced in such groups, with protection from “outsiders” and mild claims at “protecting” one’s area serving as secondary functions. Overall, the data did not support the existence of U.S. style gangs. The main similarity between these groups and U.S. style gangs is they are collectives of young people who spend most of their time not committing offenses. 7 notes, 29 references