Sociology 2267A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Gang, Moral Panic, Inverse Relation
21 Mar 2016
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Constructionist perspective: young gangs = a source for moral panic. Wearing of colours or other distinctive group symbols of defining insignia. Control of or claim to a specific territory. A number of members (at least 3) The larger the number of these criteria is met - the smaller the gang count is going to be. Underestimates the number of gangs in a community. But - a broad definition may overestimate the number of gangs. Where does gang information come from: survey conducted by the national youth gang center, general population surveys, large, random samples, young people report on their own gang related activity, longitudinal design, case studies + observational research. Not restricted to large cities and urban areas. Began from the desire of young people growing up in a time of massive social change: for fun and excitement. Crime and deviance were episodic occurrences rather than regular activities.
