NCJ Number
208021
Date Published
September 2004
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examined the motivations for violence between youth gangs in the city of Kristiansand, which is located on the southern coast of Norway.
Abstract
Data for the study were obtained from the youths themselves, who were 37 boys and 13 girls between the ages of 13 and 21. Sixteen participants were actively involved in neo-Nazi groups, and another 4 were former neo-Nazis. Among the other participants, 10-12 belonged to or were closely associated with the multiethnic "Valla Gang." The remaining youths belonged to other groups or scenes, such as organized antiracists, hip-hoppers, other gangs, or had no particular group affiliation. Participants included several core members of the gangs represented. In addition to qualitative interviews conducted in the winter/spring of 2001, data were collected from a school survey of secondary school students (mostly 16 year-olds). This was a self-report questionnaire that focused on the youths' experience with violence (as victim and perpetrator), gangs, and other types of problem behavior. The pattern of conflict between the gangs involved the neo-Nazis regularly committing violent acts against youths who belonged to the multiethnic Valla Gang. At first glance, these violent acts would appear to be based on racial discrimination, thus classifying them as hate crimes; however, upon talking with the various gang members, it became clear that the violence stemmed less from racial antipathy than from the processes of polarization within and between local youth that produced cycles of revenge. Over time, however, it may be that violence rooted in one cause may be fueled by other factors, such as attitudes toward various races and ethnic groups. 14 notes