NCJ Number
185278
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2000 Pages: 618-632
Date Published
October 2000
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study surveyed at-risk female teenagers regarding their knowledge and perceptions of gang involvement by their peers.
Abstract
Specifically, the survey aimed to determine what at-risk middle school girls know about the factors that encourage or attract school girls to gangs; what these girls know about the characteristics, roles, and activities of female gang members; and what these girls think communities, schools, and families should do in the way of gang prevention and intervention programs and the promotion of a healthy environment for youth. The survey obtained information from 216 at-risk middle school girls. Most of the girls attended middle schools in inner-city areas of a southern city. Each had received at least two notices of school disciplinary sanction for various delinquent acts and were believed by their teachers to be "at-risk" for a delinquent career. Across four racial groups the majority of respondents agreed that peer pressure, protection of status, acceptance, and problems at home were the main factors that contributed to gang affiliation. Preliminary findings show that sexual or physical abuse are not important factors in seeking gang membership. Being sex partners and auxiliary gang members were viewed by the respondents as the major roles for female gang members. The remedial strategies recommended by respondents included parental education, extracurricular activities (after-school programs), improvement in the quality of schooling, and the provision of job opportunities. Appended survey questions and responses, as well as the measurement of the factors affecting female gang affiliation and 25 references