NCJ Number
189962
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: Summer 2001 Pages: 35-56
Date Published
2001
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper examines dilemmas encountered when doing ethnographic research with youth gang members involved in serious crime.
Abstract
The paper is based upon a qualitative study of how 30 gang members aged 12-17 years accounted for their physical, sexual, and emotional violence against girlfriends, gays, and racial minorities. The main objective was to understand gang members' use of violence from their perspective. Focus was on the development and impact of familial and gender ideologies upon the masculine identities of marginal male youth. The study encountered several dilemmas: (1) victims of their violence had to be contacted to ensure safety and provide community resources; (2) many participants were under the age of 16 years and were being abused or neglected by family members; and (3) some were suicidal and required immediate mental health intervention. These dilemmas were successfully dealt with through complex methodological procedures, which prioritized the needs of violence victims over those of the participants. Participants were challenged to take responsibility for their violent actions and to get help. The paper advises researchers not to avoid this kind of field work with young gang members, but to continue exploring the issues and to get proper training prior to beginning a study. Methodology for projects such as this must be well planned and researchers must be competent to deal with violent gang members. The paper concludes that failure to attend to these issues can result in serious harm to researchers, study participants, or victims. Appendixes, sources, notes