criminal gangs 1
Gangs: Structure and Leadership
Definition and Concept of Gangs
Gangs are often characterized by complex social and organizational structures. There are several questions regarding their nature: Are gangs merely a collection of adolescents with no particular purpose, or are they organized entities? Do they emerge spontaneously as a function of juvenile delinquency and community life, or are they planned endeavors? This depends on various factors, including leadership structures, organizational roles, and codes of conduct.
Leadership Structures within Gangs
Existence of Leadership
The existence of leadership within gangs is an important aspect, and it can vary in its characteristics and functions. Several scholars have examined this topic, and while there is no unanimous conclusion, key observations have been made.
Attributes of Leaders
According to Yablonsky’s examination of New York City gangs, gang leaders often display certain psychological traits:
Megalomania: An obsession with power and control.
Strong Need for Control: A tendency to dominate and control fellow gang members.
Emotionally Distorted Self-Perception: Leaders have a distorted view of their role, often seeing themselves as essential to the gang's identity.
Yablonsky also posits that:
Gang leaders are typically self-appointed.
They fulfill their emotional needs by manipulating youth into violence and aggression.
Leaders are glorified by members, projecting desired qualities onto them.
They may exhibit paranoia, seeing themselves as persecuted while needing to compensate for their own insecurities.
Roles and Duties
The roles within a gang may vary, but in general, leaders often attempt to maintain control while addressing the emotional and practical needs of members. These leaders may engage in behaviors that reinforce a powerful image, as seen in Yablonsky's findings, where gang leaders acted out past aspirations of power and control.
Gang Dynamics and Interactions
Group Processes
Klein and Maxon introduce important concepts regarding gang structures:
They argue that typical gangs are often loosely organized, more akin to collections of cliques rather than coherent entities. For example, they found that the median individual membership duration in gangs is about one year.
They categorize gangs based on structural characteristics: traditional, **sp