NCJ Number
178375
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 1999 Pages: 1-7
Date Published
1999
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined goal displacement in contemporary gang groups and gang organizations.
Abstract
The focus was on how the gang's expressed recruitment and operational goals affect the expectations of members, as well as why goal displacement occurs within the gang organization. Using a national sample of 4,000 gang members, social organization theory was used to examine the relationship of "personal benefit" and "collective benefit" behavior as different aspects of goal displacement. The study identified approximately 1,186 specific recruitment promises under these categories: fraternal ideology of family (love, support, respect, loyalty, and brotherhood); making money; material and social conveniences; and protection. There were approximately 500 specific promises on the fraternal dimension alone. Second in priority to the fraternal dimensions was making money and acquiring material and social conveniences, followed by protection (216 promises). These expectations are designed to create the type of collective ideology that Padilla suggests fosters bonding among gang members. The research findings suggest that gang organizations do not keep a significant number of promises made to recruits after they establish affiliation. Yet, the empirical consequences of goal displacement have positive, practical, and social implications for social engineering that promises gang-prevention and intervention measures. A knowledge of how gang members are recruited and what happens to them once they affiliate with the gang organization is valuable information for designing and developing effective treatment, intervention, and prevention strategies for gangs. 11 notes and a 6-item bibliography