Defining Gangs

Defining characteristics of gangs should include multiple members (i.e. a group), communication, permanence, street orientation, and crime. It would be impossible to have a gang if there was only one member; therefore the group aspect is a crucial defining factor of a gang. Communication is also an important factor, Curry et al. (2014) explain, “most gangs have developed a series of verbal and nonverbal forms of communication…a variety of words have been developed by gangs, typically out of informal trial and error” (p. 3). It is also important to recognize permanence as a factor in defining gangs. Curry et al. (2014) write, “it is common for adolescent friendship groups to form and split apart quickly; gangs do not behave this way” (p. 4).

Street orientation is probably the most important characteristic when defining a gang because it illustrates the motivations behind gangs and gang activity. Having a collective identity by being from the same area helps construct and create why gangs form in the first place. Lastly, crime is also a key factor in the definition of a gang. Curry et al. (2014) explain, “gangs are heavily involved in crime,” which is partially the explanation of why these individuals formed in a collective manner to make up a gang (p. 5). Overall, these five factors are major characteristics that should be recognized when defining an actual gang. These factors must act collectively to actually define a gang, when acting individually these characteristics could be defining a variety of

Curry et al. explain, “leadership in gangs is dynamic and transient…leaders change as individual members of the gang age, move out of gangs, go to prison or become interest in other pursuits” (p. 50). This is helpful when taking into consideration the organization of gangs, and displays that there is not always a set leader among gangs. Informal rules are also a characteristic in understanding the structure of a gang; meaning rules are present, but not formally defined. Curry et al. (2014) write, “no gang we know of has a system of rules, punishments, and judicial procedures as formal” (p. 52). Perhaps formal rules may be applied in gangs, but this is not always the case when considering what is a gang and what is not a gang. Ultimately, the organization and structure of gangs is essentially defined as mostly informal across the board. This illustrates that organization and structure are at the lower end of the spectrum of characteristics when defining a