Citation

Bucerius SM. J. Drug Iss. 2007; 37(3): 673-697.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Florida State University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice)

DOI

10.1177/002204260703700309

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The article is based on ethnographic research in Frankfurt am Main/Germany with young male migrants who are involved in drug dealing. The aim is to give an account of the mechanisms, values, and self-constructions that influence the dealers, e.g., in their choice of substances dealt, their display of violence, how they neutralize contradicting values, etc. Moreover, changes in the studied milieu that have occurred over time will be examined. Most interesting seems the fact that the subjects' cultural background has a greater impact on their business than economic rationality, the "seductions of crime" or the "search of respect." Their distinct concept of purity and impurity, honor and dishonor, and their morality regarding the choice of substances seem particularly interesting and influence their behavior in the market.

Language: en