Myths and Realities: Clarifying Gangs

Myths and Realities about Gangs

Media Portrayal of Gangs

• Common Stereotype:
  • Gangs are composed of late-adolescent males.
  • Characteristics include:
  • Violent
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Sexual hyperactivity
  • Unpredictability
  • Confrontational behavior
  • Criminal activity
• Quote by Moore (1993):
  • "They are demonic, and all the worse for being in a group."

Big Gang Theory (Felson, 2006)

• Intentional Myths:
  • Gangs create their own myths to complicate perceptions.
• Reasons for Joining Gangs:
  • Youths seek protection.
  • Most young gang members are ineffective at providing protection.
• Perception Management:
  • Gangs appear more dangerous than they are to maximize perceived protection.
  • Use signals to indicate ties with larger city gangs.

Myths vs. Realities

Myth: Most Gangs are Highly Organized

• Common Belief:
  • Gangs are viewed as highly organized with a commitment to violence.
• Reality:
  • Gangs often operate as loosely organized groups.
  • Informal division of labor present; some individuals may take on leadership roles.
  • "Shot callers" may change based on tasks.

Myth: U.S. Gangs Come from Somewhere Else

• Gang Migration Myth:
  • Belief that gangs migrate to establish branches in the U.S. to aid drug trafficking.
• Reality:
  • Most youth gangs are homegrown; networks rarely extend beyond 100 miles from their origin.
  • Large-scale international gang migration does not occur.

Myth: Gangs, Drugs, and Violence are Interconnected

• Components of the Myth:
  • Migrating gangs
  • Drug trafficking
  • Associated violence
• Reality:
  • Few street gangs control significant drug distribution.
  • Many gang-related conflicts stem from reasons unrelated to drug trafficking.
  • Most drug distribution operations are run by drug cartels.

Myth: Gang Members are Constantly Committing Crimes

• Reality (Klein, 1995):
  • Gang life is largely unexciting; members often engage in mundane activities (sleeping, eating, hanging out).
• Crucial Distinctions:
  • Gang-motivated crime: Committed on behalf of the gang.
  • Gang-related crime: Involving a gang member, regardless of circumstances.

Myth: All Gang Membership is Permanent

• Reality:
  • Official gang membership can be short-term; many leave within a year.
  • Long-term membership more common in cities with significant gang issues (e.g., Chicago, Los Angeles).
  • Exceptions include prison gangs, notable for the "blood in, blood out" philosophy.

Other Myths

• Same Name Affiliation:
  • Gangs with the same name are not necessarily connected.
• Membership Trends:
  • Young children are not exclusively recruited; desire to join often stems from social appeal.
• Initiation Rites:
  • Extreme initiation rites (like beat-downs) are not common; victimizing innocent people is rare.
• Recruitment Sources:
  • New members predominantly recruited by peers, not adults.
• Super Predator Myth:
  • Misconception that modern gang members represent a new wave of criminal behavior.
  • Evidence linking gangs to significant societal issues (e.g., crack epidemic) is limited.