In Their Own Words

Youth gangs, once confined to the inner areas of large cities, have spread throughout the U.S. and in most industrialized countries. This book explores their changing nature, their behavior, and their roles in modern and developing societies. The authors challenge popular and inaccurate definitions of gangs vs. non-gang youth groups, and show how the amazing diversity of gangs demands more rigorous study. This book stimulates thinking about valid methods of defining and interpreting gang behavior, in order to better understand delinquent and criminal behaviors, and their control. It is an ideal text for criminal justice, sociology, and social work courses, and a resource for law enforcement, probation and parole practitioners, and public defenders.