NCJ Number
219800
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: Summer 2007 Pages: 11-26
Date Published
2007
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper explains gang membership as a substantive offense, using Agnew's General Strain Theory, Hirschi's Social Bond Theory, and Sutherland's Differential Association Theory to explain criminal behavior.
Abstract
Agnew's General Strain theory argues that criminal behavior is a potential response to a person's failure to achieve positively valued goals. As applied to joining gangs, gang members are often confronted with barriers to and lack of economic opportunities. Within the domain of the peer group, delinquent peers create strain that stimulates conformity to delinquent behavior, increasing the likelihood of meeting the expectations of gang membership. Hirschi's development of the social bond theory presents a counter argument to the concept of strains as motivation to join a gang. According to Hirschi, the failure to achieve an emotional connection to a significant person who models normative behavior increases the likelihood of delinquency, including gang membership. The most important determinative relationship is between parents and youth. The concept of learning delinquent behavior is contained within Sutherland's Differential Association Theory. The basic premise of this theory is that people learn their behavior from those with whom they have close and regular interaction. Youth who are regularly exposed to the delinquent behavior of others are at risk of adopting the same or similar behavior. This suggests that a common risk factor for gang membership is attachment and commitment to delinquent peers. Many explanations of gang membership have focused on the risk factors that support social learning theory (Sutherland) and social bond theory (Hirschi); however, the addition of Agnew's General Strain Theory is useful for the overall explanation of gang membership, particularly in American society where youth are continually exposed to the lifestyles of the rich and famous. 31 references