Citation

Sheley JF, Zhang J, Brody CJ, Wright JD. Soc. Sci. Q. 1995; 76(1): 53-68.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Southwestern Social Science Association and the University of Texas, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective. The present investigation attempts to assess the relation of general gang structure and criminal activity to the criminal behavior of individual gang members. Methods. The analyses derive from responses to surveys completed by 373 male juveniles who identified themselves as gang members prior to incarceration in mostly maximum security correctional facilities. Respondents were questioned about the organization of the gangs to which they belonged, about their gangs' involvement in carrying firearms, using drugs, selling drugs, robbery, and burglary, and about their own involvement in these same offenses. Results. Gang- and individual-level criminality generally is specialized. Gang structure is ambiguously associated with the forms of crime gangs commit but is unrelated to individual members' criminality. Types of gang-level and types of individual-level criminality are related. Conclusions. ''Gang'' thus signifies more than the nominal congregation of youth for protective and social purposes.