A review of the literature on street gangs in America, 1995

This thesis reviews the literature that is related to American street gangs. The study introduces itself by explicating the statement of the problem, definitional issues, and the purpose and scope of the study. Next, it provides a discussion of the history of American gangs, the sociological factors that allow gangs to develop, gang communities, and gang structures. The thesis moves on to discuss the characteristics of gang members, such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, and culture. There is also a main division about the African-American gang that addresses its primacy for making money, its organizational structure, and its violent routines. I also analyze the gangbang along with the drive-by shooting within the situational and behavioral settings in which they occur. The study also critiques the current policies that criminal justice officials are implementing in their appeal to the nation's concern over violent street gangs. The conclusions drawn from this study holds the American news media responsible for creating the image of the African-American 'street gangster' and criticizes the current policy response to the street gang problem as being oppressive. They do little to bring about humane methods of prevention and intervention