Gang Structure Analysis

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This will be an analysis of chapter 11 of Gang structures by Malcolm W. Klein and Cheryl L. Maxson. The authors of this chapter conduct research on gang structures and their research tell us that not all gangs are the same. Also, it also details what the different characteristics of those structures are made up of. The authors then go into the importance of listing gang structure to combat the problem better. I tend to agree that characterizing groups are necessary to do to develop deterrence policies better. Also developing programs to help better these gang members leave or deter them from joining in the first place. The authors then go into the levels of gang’s and make some certifications on the structures of gangs. The authors state that …show more content…

One thing the authors speak of is if they can use this research to develop a better definition of street gangs it will only benefit in addressing this issue. The authors then speak on the past gang types and some of the misconceptions people have made. These misconceptions have been displayed through movies and based on fiction rather than pure facts. I agree that these mistakes have played a tremendous view of how people see gangs and has led to developing bad policies and programs as a result. The authors state that most scholars have deemed that gangs do not have a single form. So basically they are not well organized compared to myths put out there by movies and others. The authors do a splendid job at going over gang structures and the common misconceptions that are out there about gangs. I do agree with them for the most part that gangs are disorganized and have high turnover rates at the leadership level. I do believe from my experience that some gang activities are very well planned and carried out. This is why researching this gang is so hard because of all the differences with gangs and that they are not well organized. It makes combating this problem even harder. Also, it is clear that more research is needed to develop better deterrence and therapeutic programs and

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