NCJ Number
147239
Date Published
1992
Length
41 pages
Annotation
The author discusses issues that arise in the study of gangs, underscoring the importance of an ethnic-specific focus.
Abstract
An ethnic-specific focus is important because ethnic gangs differ from each other greatly in their development, activities, and organization. The author gives some explanations for the lack of this focus, using Asian gangs as an example. For census and research purposes, Asian Americans, even in regions with large Asian populations, are not thoroughly recognized as a distinct ethnic category. Typically, they are lumped in with the "Other" category. Also, a common stereotype of Asian Americans as a well disciplined and hard-working minority group diminishes attention toward possible social ills within the Asian community. Asian American communities, for their part, tend to be insular and isolated--not easily accessible to researchers. An Asian cultural emphasis on shame to a significant degree manifests in denial of gang and other problems. Asian gangs, compared to other ethnic gangs, do not get too much attention. The study of gangs in general is hampered by a lack of definition--therefore, a lack of precise quantitative figures. 7 endnotes, 52 references