Classification of Gangs
Classification of Gangs
Introduction
The problem of classifying gangs has interested both sociologists and law enforcement. For the purpose of law enforcement, a gang is generally defined as an organized group among the members of which there is well-designed communication. This paper evaluates classification schemes from current research for gangs. The objective is to discover the issues and problems in creating classifications for gangs including a definition which delineates what constitutes a gang and differentiates it from other social and sports groups. The paper also compares approaches to classifications of gangs and evaluates how these classifications provide specific insights or information about gangs in a community.
Discussion
In order to evaluate classification of gangs, the foremost task is to determine difference between a gang and a team. A team is a group of individuals who partners for a common (Egan & Beadman, 2011). The concept of "team" is mainly used in organization and sports to describe a group of people working or playing together. A team is rather formal, structured and has the following three characteristics:
i. the team members know: each member has a role and tasks defined; ii. team members are interdependent ; iii. teams have set a schedule and terms clear
From a sociological point of view, a team needs to meet at regular intervals. As an illustration, the frequency of business meetings may be daily or bi-weekly in teams of sales. On the other hand, researches like Decker & Curry (2002) define a gang as a group of individuals sharing a common culture and common values, caused by their association and the social and urban areas where they live. One of their characteristics is their readiness to use violence against other gangs or almost anyone (Pyrooz & Decker, 2011). They engage in criminal activities and peer recognition is carried out through incarceration and socialization through the norms in the gang. A gang is different
Introduction
The problem of classifying gangs has interested both sociologists and law enforcement. For the purpose of law enforcement, a gang is generally defined as an organized group among the members of which there is well-designed communication. This paper evaluates classification schemes from current research for gangs. The objective is to discover the issues and problems in creating classifications for gangs including a definition which delineates what constitutes a gang and differentiates it from other social and sports groups. The paper also compares approaches to classifications of gangs and evaluates how these classifications provide specific insights or information about gangs in a community.
Discussion
In order to evaluate classification of gangs, the foremost task is to determine difference between a gang and a team. A team is a group of individuals who partners for a common (Egan & Beadman, 2011). The concept of "team" is mainly used in organization and sports to describe a group of people working or playing together. A team is rather formal, structured and has the following three characteristics:
i. the team members know: each member has a role and tasks defined; ii. team members are interdependent ; iii. teams have set a schedule and terms clear
From a sociological point of view, a team needs to meet at regular intervals. As an illustration, the frequency of business meetings may be daily or bi-weekly in teams of sales. On the other hand, researches like Decker & Curry (2002) define a gang as a group of individuals sharing a common culture and common values, caused by their association and the social and urban areas where they live. One of their characteristics is their readiness to use violence against other gangs or almost anyone (Pyrooz & Decker, 2011). They engage in criminal activities and peer recognition is carried out through incarceration and socialization through the norms in the gang. A gang is different
References: Decker, S., & Curry, G. (2002). Gangs, gang homicides, and gang loyalty:: Organized crimes or disorganized criminals. Journal of Criminal Justice, 30(4), 343-352. Egan, V., & Beadman, M. (2011). Personality and gang embeddedness. Personality and Individual Differences, 51(6), 748-753. Hegemann, R., Smith, L., & Barbaro, A. (2011). Geographical influences of an emerging network of gang rivalries. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 390(21), 3894-3914. Pyrooz, D., & Decker, S. (2011). Motives and methods for leaving the gang: Understanding the process of gang desistance. Journal of Criminal Justice, 39(11), 417-425.