Gangs in America’s Communities
Second Edition
SAGE Journal Articles
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- Bolden, C. (2013). Tales from the hood: An emic perspective on gang joining and desistance. Criminal Justice Review, 4, 473-490.
- Abstract: Using in-depth interviews with current and former gang members in Bexar County, Texas, and Orange County, Florida, this research examines the processes and methods of joining and leaving gangs. Although initiation is generally believed to be the line of demarcation for gang members, the gang members interviewed for this study indicated that there are several nonviolent methods of gang entrance. Gang desistance was very common, but successfully leaving the gang often depended upon geographical separation and alternate support systems. Lack of the aforementioned elements led to ambivalent behaviors in which individuals straddled the line between gangs and conventional lifestyles.
- Abstract: Using in-depth interviews with current and former gang members in Bexar County, Texas, and Orange County, Florida, this research examines the processes and methods of joining and leaving gangs. Although initiation is generally believed to be the line of demarcation for gang members, the gang members interviewed for this study indicated that there are several nonviolent methods of gang entrance. Gang desistance was very common, but successfully leaving the gang often depended upon geographical separation and alternate support systems. Lack of the aforementioned elements led to ambivalent behaviors in which individuals straddled the line between gangs and conventional lifestyles.
- Pyrooz, D.C., Sweeten, G., & Piquero, A. R. (2013). Continuity and change in gang membership and gang embeddedness. Crime and Delinquency, 50, 239-271.
- Abstract: Objectives. Drawing from social network and life-course frameworks, the authors extend Hagan’s concept of criminal embeddedness to embeddedness within gangs. This study explores the relationship between embeddedness in a gang, a type of deviant network, and desistance from gang membership. Method. Data were gathered over a five-year period from 226 adjudicated youth reporting gang membership at the baseline interview. An item response theory model is used to construct gang embeddedness. The authors estimate a logistic hierarchical linear model to identify whether baseline levels of gang embeddedness alter the longitudinal contours of gang membership. Results. Gang embeddedness is associated with slowing the rate of desistance from gang membership over the full five-year study period. Gang members with low levels of embeddedness leave the gang Objectives. Drawing from social network and life-course frameworks, the authors extend Hagan’s concept of criminal embeddedness to embeddedness within gangs. This study explores the relationship between embeddedness in a gang, a type of deviant network, and desistance from gang membership. Method. Data were gathered over a five-year period from 226 adjudicated youth reporting gang membership at the baseline interview. An item response theory model is used to construct gang embeddedness. The authors estimate a logistic hierarchical linear model to identify whether baseline levels of gang embeddedness alter the longitudinal contours of gang membership.
- Abstract: Objectives. Drawing from social network and life-course frameworks, the authors extend Hagan’s concept of criminal embeddedness to embeddedness within gangs. This study explores the relationship between embeddedness in a gang, a type of deviant network, and desistance from gang membership. Method. Data were gathered over a five-year period from 226 adjudicated youth reporting gang membership at the baseline interview. An item response theory model is used to construct gang embeddedness. The authors estimate a logistic hierarchical linear model to identify whether baseline levels of gang embeddedness alter the longitudinal contours of gang membership. Results. Gang embeddedness is associated with slowing the rate of desistance from gang membership over the full five-year study period. Gang members with low levels of embeddedness leave the gang Objectives. Drawing from social network and life-course frameworks, the authors extend Hagan’s concept of criminal embeddedness to embeddedness within gangs. This study explores the relationship between embeddedness in a gang, a type of deviant network, and desistance from gang membership. Method. Data were gathered over a five-year period from 226 adjudicated youth reporting gang membership at the baseline interview. An item response theory model is used to construct gang embeddedness. The authors estimate a logistic hierarchical linear model to identify whether baseline levels of gang embeddedness alter the longitudinal contours of gang membership.
- Gebo, E. & Sullivan C. J. (2014). A statewide comparison of gang and non-gang youth in public high schools. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 12, 191-208.
- Abstract: Gang and non-gang youth are often considered distinct for the purposes of prevention and intervention; yet, research shows there are areas of overlap in their risk profiles. This study examines areas of overlap and differences using a statewide representative sample of high school youth from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Gang membership is treated as a predictor variable rather than as an outcome. Results from a latent class analysis show that gang members do not form their own group in the school setting. These findings are discussed in relation to prevention and intervention strategies in the school realm and beyond.