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.