Gang Structure

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Gang Structure Each gang has their own structure. Members are usually males from 13 to 28 years old, but police are also seeing female subsets of existing gangs. Gangs are not restricted to only youths from disadvantaged and low income areas: many middle and upper class youths are also involved in gang activity (http://www.gangfreekids.org/gangs.html). In addition, gangs are not just comprised of African-American youths; gang members represent all racial and ethnic groups. Some gang members may also have relatives that belong to the gang. The head of a gang is called the leader. The leader is responsible for running the gang. The leader of a gang determines the day to day activities and what goes on. Beneath the leader are the “hardcore gang members”. The hardcore gang members are usually older members. They are responsible for recruiting new members and keeping the other members in line using fearful tactics (http://www.gangfreekids.org/gangs.html). The hardcore gang members are at high risk of being involved for life. These members basically care about nothing besides the gang. About 10 percent of the gang is composed of these criminals. Following the hardcore gang members are the associate gang members. Associate gang members generally make a personal commitment to the gang culture. They work really hard in the gang so they could achieve the hardcore gang member status (http://www.nbc17.com/news/3301426/detail.html). Next in procession is the fringe gang member. The fringe gang member is a part of the gang but they have not made a commitment to a life in the criminal gang culture (http://www.gangfreekids.org/gangs.html). They may either leave the gang or end up becoming a hard core member. This type of member drifts in and out of the gang and seems to lack direction in life. Wanna-be gang members are not actual gang members.

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