Street gangs, migration and ethnicity / edited by Frank van Gemert, Dana Peterson and Inger-Lise Lien.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Gemert, Frank van, 1958-

Peterson, Dana

Lien, Inger-Lise

Lipman Criminology Library Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gangs.

Crime and race.

Emigration and immigration--Social aspects.

Emigration and immigration.

Juvenile delinquency.

Physical Description:

xviii, 286 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Cullompton, UK ; Portland, Or. : Willan, 2008.

Summary:

Most, if not all, countries have street gangs. There is considerable variety when it comes to their history, (criminal) activities and composition, but often migrant youth are among the members. These newcomers may find themselves in a marginal position, which can lead them to become gang-members. Apart from this socio-economic aspect, nowadays youth culture seems to promote a gang lifestyle and play a role in gang formation. This lifestyle is strongly influenced by stereotypical American gangs.

The chapters in this book are based on research from twelve different countries. They address both situations where there have been longstanding problems with street gangs as well as areas where such issues have just started to emerge. Different research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, provide a unique insight into the influence of migration on local gang formation and development, paying particular attention to the importance of ethnicity. The chapters also explore the challenges that migration and ethnicity pose for responding effectively to the growth of such gangs, particularly in areas where public discourse on such issues is restricted. This peer-reviewed volume will be essential reading for anybody interested in the phenomenon of street gangs.

This is the third book produced by the Eurogang network, consisting of researchers working together to develop a common framework for international comparative research on street gangs, based on standardized methodological instruments and a common research design. The Eurogang network started in 1998 and now has some 200 members working on various continents.

Contents:

Part I Introduction and methods 1

2 Migrant groups and gang activity: a contrast between Europe and the USA / Frank van Gemert, Scott Decker 15

3 Dangers and problems of doing 'gang' research in the UK / Judith Aldridge, Juanjo Medina, Robert Ralphs 31

Part II Migration and street gangs 47

4 Mexican migrants in gangs: a second-generation history / James Diego Vigil 49

5 Latin Kings in Barcelona / Carles Feixa, Noemi Canelles, Laura Porzio, Carolina Recio, Luca Giliberti 63

6 Gangs, migration and conflict: Thrasher's theme in The Netherlands / Frank van Gemert, Jantien Stuifbergen 79

7 Origins and development of racist skinheads in Moscow / Alexander Shashkin 97

Part III Ethnicity and street gangs 115

8 The role of race and ethnicity in gang membership / Finn-Aage Esbensen, Bradley T. Brick, Chris Melde, Karin Tusinski, Terrance J. Taylor 117

9 Weapons are for wimps: the social dynamics of ethnicity and violence in Australian gangs / Rob White 140

10 Ethnicity and juvenile street gangs in France / Coralie Fiori-Khayat 156

11 Migration background, group affiliation, and delinquency among endangered youths in a south-west German city / Hans-Jurgen Kerner, Kerstin Reich, Marc Coester, Elmar G.M. Weitekamp 173

12 Respect, friendship, and racial injustice: justifying gang membership in a Canadian city / Scot Wortley, Julian Tanner 192

Part IV Issues and challenges of migration and ethnicity in dealing with street gangs 209

13 An interactive construction of gangs and ethnicity: the role of school segregation in France / Eric Debarbieux, Catherine Blaya 211

14 'Nemesis' and the Achilles heel of Pakistani gangs in Norway / Inger-Lise Lien 227

15 Wolves and sheepdogs: on migration, ethnic relations and gang-police interaction in Sweden / Micael Bjork 241

16 Concluding remarks: the roles of migration and ethnicity in street gang formation, involvement and response / Dana Peterson, Inger-Lise Lien, Frank van Gemert 255.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Lipman Criminology Library Fund.

ISBN:

1843923971

9781843923978

1843923963

9781843923961

OCLC:

220001948