FREE ESSAY ON DEVIANCE IN GANG INVOLVEMENT: WHY JOIN A GANG?

DEVIANCE IN GANG INVOLVEMENT: WHY JOIN A GANG?

Mark Sirignano
027-66-7577
Tues. Thur. 9:25-10:40
12-14-99
Deviance in Gang Involvement: Why Join a Gang?
The problem of gang activity is not a new one facing our country. Ever since the
beginnings of human existence gangs have served as a means of protection for humans. The
issue of gang activity has recently, however, come to the forefront of dilemmas facing
our nation. While cities like Chicago and Los Angeles are chronic gang sites, other
cities such as "Miami, Portland, Columbus, Dallas, and Milwaukee have only recently
(within the last decade) had what they termed as a gang problem" (Conly 7). Gang numbers
have, without question, skyrocketed over the past 10 to 20 years. Los Angeles, for
example, has recently been estimated to have as many as 90,000 gang members (Conly 14).
The importance of these numbers cannot be overlooked. However, to fully understand the
problems that gangs may pose to society, the term gang must be defined. Without a
definition the impact of gang maliciousness on society may be lost.
Throughout its history the term "gang" has possessed a diverse usage, being linked to
outlaws in the "wild west" and organized crime groups among others (Decker and Van Winkle
2). Due to this, a clear-cut definition of a gang does not exist. However, most agree
that a gang is a group of mostly males that engages in delinquent activities. However,
the definition goes much further than that. A police officer, for example, may call a
gang "an on-going, organized association of three or more persons who individually or
collectively engage in or have engaged in criminal activity" (Conly 5). Notwithstanding,
this definition is terribly obscure. That definition could include a group of boys who
occasionally drink alcohol. On the other hand it could also include a group of youths
that rapes and steals from old ladies. This definition obviously ranges from one extreme
end of the spectrum to the other end. While images of boys drinking in the woods does not
conjure up representations of hard core gang activity it does fit under the umbrella of
the definition given above. This definition, obviously, leaves much to be desired. 
A sociologist, on the other hand, may describe the term gang with another set of values.
As a result, a sociologist may describe a gang as a group whom: 
Are generally perceived as a distinct aggregation by others in their neighborhood,
recognize themselves as a denotable group (almost invariably with a group name) and have
been involved in a sufficient number of delinquent incidents to call forth a consistent
negative response from neighborhood residents and/or enforcement agencies. (Sanders 9)
This definition is less obscure than the previous one. However, it still leaves much to
be desired. As one can see a "clear cut" definition is extremely hard thing to determine.
In order to define the term gang one must take a combination of several definitions. As a
result, a combination of these two definitions must be faceted for the purpose of this
paper. Gangs, for our purpose, can be characterized in the following manner: A group of
youths that commit crimes that recognizes themselves as a "gang".
As a result of a sufficient definition being unearthed, the focus of this paper can next
be turned to the reasons for joining a gang. While there are a variety of reasons one may
choose to enter into the gang environment, there are three prominent reasons that stand
out. These reasons are psychological, financial, and physical.
The psychological aspects of gang life are plentiful. Many youths in the inner city come
from broken homes. As a result, these youths may turn to the gang life as a "pseudo"
family. The gang, which has a definite family hierarchy, becomes the family for the
youth. However, the purpose of a family is to provide support, love, and protection. The
hazardous gang life-style often provides injury and death as well. 
In addition to psychological support, gang life often provides financial support as well.
Teens who would normally be making fifty to sixty dollars a week at a part time job can
rake in as much as a thousand dollars per week by stealing or selling drugs in a gang
setting. In fact, many gang members claim to "join and stay in gangs for financial
reasons"(Spergel 94). The attraction to gang life is obvious when looked at from that
standpoint.
The final attraction to gang life is simply the physical aspect. Gangs provide the
"safety in numbers" sense of security for many youths who are forced to reside in what is
in reality a war zone. Consequently, joining a gang may result from "a rational
calculation to achieve personal security, particularly, by males new to a particular
community, school, or prison"(Spergel 92). Many feel a sense of security when joining a
gang. Nevertheless there is the ever-present threat of death from a wall of bullets in
this lifestyle.
There are, of course, some that feel these reasons are not the main contributing factors
to gang enrollment. The main detractors of this theory will point to the emergence of
gangs in affluent areas. These areas contain children who may not come from broken homes
and may not have problems with money or being bullied. However, dysfunctional families
are present in all areas of society. Moreover, if one or two children are of
dysfunctional families, there influence will spread throughout a social setting of other
children. Some feel that gangs result simply out of an "inordinately large number of
children crowded into a limited area...spontaneous play groups are forming everywhere -
gangs in embryo"(Spergel 71). While the overcrowding of youths in a limited area may play
a role in the formation of gangs, the main contributing factors to the creation of gang
activity are the fulfillment of psychological (family), financial, and physical needs. 
Perhaps the most significant draw to the gang arena of life is the psychological
fulfillment that gangs provide. Many youths that join gangs come from a family that is
deemed dysfunctional. In this case, a dysfunctional family may be one of an abusive
parent, one parent, or even no parents. As an illustration, almost fifty percent of
children in the United States, 32.3 million children total, do not live with both of
their biological parents (Korem 53). This number is even greater in the inner cities of
American society where gang life thrives. Moreover, a family may appear to not be
dysfunctional on the outside, but "if even one parent is severely dysfunctional and a
youth takes the brunt of that dysfunction - it can be the activating mechanism that
initiates gang involvement"(Korem 55). In order to escape from this dysfunction, a youth
may turn to the family hierarchy of a gang for family fulfillment.
The family hierarchy of a gang that was previously mentioned is definite and closely
resembles that of a non-dysfunctional family, or that of a "normal" family. In the case
of gangs there are four distinct levels that resemble those of a family. These four
levels are, namely, the core members, floaters, wannabes, and the veterans. This gang
organization, it can be argued, substitutes in distinctive ways for a particular pattern
of inadequacy in existing familiar relationships (Spergel 70). 
The first, or top, level of gang organization is that of the core members. The core
members may make key decisions and set the standards of the group. Moreover, core members
may support or sanction the actions of other members of the group. The core members are,
in effect, the parental figures of the gang. It is needless to say that without the
actions and support of core members, the group would become dysfunctional and unable to
function. Therefore the core members are obviously the most important members of the
group.
The next level of the gang hierarchy consists of a group that is called the "floaters".
The floater is not exactly a gang member, as they often exist across and between gang
lines (Spergel 84). Nevertheless, the floater still commands high status and respect from
other gang members. The floater often sets up meetings between gangs. These meetings may,
for example, set up drug deals, gun deals, or just encounters between friendly and
opposing gangs. Floaters, In other words, command high respect from other gang members
for their special skills and abilities to set up meetings between gangs. A floater may
serve as a family friend or neighbor to the gang family hierarchy.
The next level of the gang hierarchy is that of the "wannabes". The wannabe is, in
actuality, the child of gang life. Actually, this is very fitting, as the wannabe group
is mainly comprised of young children and teenagers. The wannabe or recruits are, more
often than not, "younger, aspiring, potential gang members" (Spergel 84). This group
services the needs of the group through theft and drug sales. However, this does not
follow that of a "normal" family. In a "normal", or non-dysfunctional, family the
parental figures are the breadwinners. Conversely, in a gang setting, the children are
actually the breadwinners. This role reversal is extremely interesting.
The final, or third level, of the gang hierarchy is comprised of the veterans. The
veterans are old gang bangers who are "no longer active in gang involvement, but still
serve as important, symbolic reference persons"(Spergel 84). The veterans command a high
amount of respect for their previous efforts to help the gang. Moreover, a veteran who
has served time in prison for their efforts to help the gang is almost revered as a
demi-god. The veteran serves as that of a grandparent. In other words, the veteran no
longer mettles in the day to day activities of the gang, but still serves to influence
the gang from previous occurrences that serve to teach the new members of the gang. 
Like most families, gangs have sets of rules. The rules imposed by most parents and those
imposed by most gang leaders are extremely different, however. In addition, unlike those
rules imposed by most parents the rules imposed by gang members are "understood" and do
not need "formal articulation"(Decker and Van Winkle 100). The most outstanding of these
unspoken rules are: Being a perp (in 2 gangs at a time), running from a gang fight, or
letting your gang rag touch the ground. These violations are punishable through many ways
ranging from beatings to even death. 
In an attempt to enter into a family hierarchy, many youths will choose gangs as a
substitute family. That of a "functional" family in gangs replaces the dysfunctional
family that many of these youths arrive from. The gang provides support and even love
that may be lacking at the homes of many of these youths. Furthermore, the gang also
provides something that is also not easy to come by for many of these youths. That thing
being money. 
Financial opportunities are very abundant in the gang lifestyle. These opportunities are
much more lucrative than part time jobs. However, these opportunities do not come without
drawbacks, as some of them are extremely dangerous. Prostitution, for example, is a way
that many gangs raise revenue. This is one of America's oldest professions, however it is
also one of the most dangerous. Many gangs use drug addicts as hookers. These drug
addicts are primarily young girls who are actually not members of the gang (Sanders 141).
These women are often termed as "hoes".
In addition to prostitution, many gangs resort to theft in order to increase earnings.
Gang members have been known to steal anything ranging from cars, jewels, wallets, and an
assortment of many other things. Thievery, however, is a very risky business. Police or
even worse, an opposing gang member can easily apprehend one. In this case a gang member
may rather be apprehended by police officers rather than feel the wraith of an enemy
gang. Furthermore, theft has slowly but surely been eroded from the main dish of gang
members as a way of attaining money. The prosperity associated with the next topic,
drugs, has dwarfed and, in some ways, caused the demise of theft as a major way of
earning money in gangs.
Drug sales, are without doubt, the gangs most prosperous method of making money. Drug
sales emanating from gangs often deal with many other criminal elements. One gang member
details his accounts of his drug sales here:
I was getting my money selling drugs - large amounts - drugs like sherm [PCP laced
marijuana], crystal [methamphetamine], weed [marijuana], and the main killer cocaine. We
deal through Cubans and Mexicans in big events, then eventually to the Mafia. (Sanders
141)
The above example clearly shows the amount of criminal activity that is involved in the
selling of drugs throughout our nation. Along with the sales of drugs going out, comes a
massive amount of money coming in.
Youths who choose to venture into the drug sale market can make a massive amount of money
in a relatively short amount of time. Some children can make anywhere from nine hundred
to fifteen hundred dollars per day (Sanders 141). While the money is clearly rolling in
to these youths, many are neglecting other responsibilities. School, for instance, is
very rarely attended by these youths. When one is making that kind of money on the
streets it is difficult to make him or her stop and attend school.
While the sales of drugs are a principle commodity in the world of gang money making, the
consumption of the product is highly frowned upon. Using the drugs is, consequently,
viewed as destruction of profits. However, the smoking of marijuana, for some reason or
another, is not frowned upon. In fact, it is commonplace for many drug sellers to smoke
massive quantities of marijuana.
The appeal of gang banging from a financial standpoint is obvious. There is, however, yet
another final reason that many youths join gangs. Gangs provide the protection in numbers
that many youths seek. A youth who is not enrolled in any particular gang who is
encountered on the street by youths who are in a gang may be beaten or even killed. In
fact, most youths are "genuinely afraid of becoming victims of gangs" (Trump 1993).
Conversely, that same youth will command respect if he or she is enrolled in a gang.
However, the theory of gang "protection" is sometimes challenged by gang war eruptions.
Safety in numbers often leads to death in numbers when dealing with the world of gang
wars. The hatred and primal circumstances of gang wars are described below:
The two gangs, the "Circle" and the "Avenue", would stand atop the hills at either end of
the football field and throw curses and threats across the gridiron for long minutes at a
time. This chest pounding served a practical function for locals: They knew they had five
or ten minutes to scramble for cover before shooting began. (Dickersen 22)
One may ask themself how a youth could actually feel safer in an environment like that.
However, the answer is clear. That answer is clearly the safety in numbers factor. Many
youths would rather be exposed to the realities of a gang war rather than that of
fighting a war all on ones own. In fact, students in schools with a gang presence are
"twice as likely to report that they fear becoming victims of violence than their peers
at schools without gangs" (Trump 1993). 
A gang member who is attacked by rival gang members is almost assured to have retaliation
by their own gang on their side as well. That sense of a back up is a driving force in
the desire to join gangs. For anyone who does not join a gang is playing Russian
roulette, in effect. Donald Thomas, of Dallas, found this out the hard way in 1991 when
he was assaulted and killed by 3 assailants who were all described as gang members and
all being "15 years old and from broken homes"(Korem 43). 
Any youths that do not form an alliance with any one gang are forced to form some kind of
truce at least. This truce enables them to walk to and from school or to the store. This
truce may be created through monetary givings or even bisexual favors from females for
the males of the gang. This truce, however, is in no way as solid as actually joining the
gang and does not guarantee the stopping of future violence. It is, in effect, a
temporary cease-fire from gang violence (Gaustad 24). 
In conclusion, the number of gang members in this country has skyrocketed over the past
recent decades. This increase in gang population can directly be attributed to the
attraction of many youths to an appealing gang lifestyle. The appeal of this lifestyle,
for example, can be directly attributed to three main reasons. The three main reasons are
psychological, financial, and physical.
The massive breakdown of a "normal" family structure In the United States, especially in
inner city neighborhoods, has led to a breeding ground of gang activity. Many
psychologists agree that children descending from a dysfunctional family are much more
likely to join a gang. Moreover, the number of dysfunctional families in this country is
at almost fifty percent of American families. This, in turn, does not deem well for
anti-gang advocates.
The family that these youths strive to obtain through the pseudo family given through
gangs closely resembles that of a "normal" family. These pseudo families possess a
definite hierarchy that instills rules, support, and discipline in its members. As a
result, many youths join gangs to obtain a sense of family and belonging to something
special. In turn for this sense of belonging, youths will often fight, kill, rob, steal
or sell drugs to support the family.
The next draw to a gang lifestyle is the financial aspect of gangs. Gangs, without a
doubt, provide a substantial base for obtaining money for a group of young people that
may otherwise have problems earning money. Money is namely earned through stealing,
prostitution, and drug sales. As a result of all of this money making, most gang members
ignore other "responsibilities" such as school. While prostitution and drug sales are on
the rise in gang activities, theft is on the decline. This decline is mainly due to the
fact that it is risky and no longer as lucrative a trade as the prostitution or sales of
drugs. 
The final attraction to gang life is the protection that the gang provides. In order to
avoid being bullied one must join a gang or suffer the consequences. These consequences
are, namely, harassment, beatings, robberies, or even murder. In order to avoid these
fates, youths often will join a gang. While joining a gang may even heighten the threat
of attack from rival gangs, many feel the trade off is better than the fate of not
joining a gang. Moreover, the safety in numbers that is provided by gangs is much greater
than chancing it on ones own in the ghetto.
It is clear to see that the three main reasons for enlisting in a gang are psychological,
financial, and physical. There are, of course, other reasons to join a gang. Many
theorists believe that the close proximity of youths in the inner city lead to the
embryonic stages of gang activity. This, however, does not explain the explosion of gang
activity in affluent suburbs. The breakdown of a family structure, however, does explain
it. That is the main reason for the rapid formation of gangs. Financial and physical
reasons are soon to follow. After all, everyone loves to earn money. Likewise, gangs can
provide money rather readily. Everybody loves to feel a sense of security as well. This
is especially true in such dangerous areas like the ghettos of the inner city. Gangs,
without a doubt, provide protection from other gangs as well. One thing is for certain.
As long as the breakdown of family values continues to climb and gangs can provide an
exit from this breakdown, gang numbers will continue to rise. As long as gangs provide
protection and monetary rewards, crime will continue to rise along with gang numbers. 
Bibliography
Conly, Catherine H., et al. Street Gangs: Current Knowledge and Strategies.
Washington: Dept. of Justice. Office of Justice Programs and National institute of
Justice, 1993.
Decker, Scott H., and Berik Van Winkle. Life in the Gang: Family Friends and
Violence. New York: Cambridge Up, 1996.
Dickersen, Debra. "Cease Fire in Simple City." U.S. News and World Report 16
Mar. 1998: 22-25.
Korem, Dan. Suburban Gangs: The Affluent Rebels. Texas: International Focus
Press, 1994.
Sanders, William B. Gangbangs and Drivebys: Grounded Culture and Juvenile
Gang Violence. New York: Walter de Gruyter Inc, 1994.
Spergel, Irving A. The youth Gang Problem: A Community Approach. New York:
Oxford Up, 1995.
Trump, K. S. Youth Gangs and School: The Need for Intervention and Prevention 
Strategies. Cleveland: Urban Child Research Center, 1993.