Girls And Gangs

Girls and Gangs Research Paper

Eric Brooks

Gangs (CJC 352)

April 15, 2016

Girls in gangs are often misunderstood because of the fact that there is such a vague definition of who is really considered a gang member, or even just simply gang involved. For example even girlfriends of male gang members would obviously be considered to at least be associated with the gang but how do we know they aren?t gang members themselves? It is factors like this that can make it truly difficult to accurately estimate how involved females really are in gangs. Although it is fair to say that female?s involvement in gangs is generally less than that of their male counterparts, but to what extent? The study of girls in gangs is a relatively new research

topic when compared to the historical research on boys in gangs; however that does not mean that girls? involvement in gangs has just started to occur. From the misconceptions of girls? in gangs to the influential factors that draw these young girls into these gangs, whether that be for the social benefit or because they feel as if it is their only escape from the world that they live in, research is finally starting to uncover more information about the true contribution of girls? in gang within our cruel society and how their involvement effects their lives.
Defining the exact variance between males and females in involvement in gangs can be hard to accurately determine as females identity is clearly not very well defined or understood. For when someone is to bring up the involvement of girls in gangs, people automatically have a picture in their head of a stereotype that our media has planted within our brains. These stereotypes are often seen to depict a violent, masculine, young, minority females, who ignores the rules and laws within society (Joe and Chesney-Lind, 1995: 3, Chesney-Lind, 1993). However women tend to join gangs for the same reason that young males do, as many people do not step back to look at the bigger picture and realize that young women are faced with the same hardships as young men. These woman struggle with poverty, single parent families of minority status, who face racism and social class inequality throughout their early lives. For being an underclass, minority, woman, there are many hardships that lead these young woman to believe that joining a gang to be the best way to fill the gap within their lives in such a harsh society. With this being said there is still a great difference between the involvements in gangs between genders as we see that girls are much more likely to join gangs at a younger age, but are also seen to leave the gang at an earlier age (Chesney-Lind and Shelden, 2014). While boys are much more likely to stay within that gang for an extended periods of times and have the potential to be involved with the gang long into their early adulthood which we do not see much of when it comes to data on girls membership.
We can go back into history and even though there is not very detailed history of girls in gangs, Klein and Crawford report through their L.A. gang research that back in 1967 about 26% of all gang members in Los Angeles were female (Peterson, 2012). This is an important piece of information, as if we cannot conclude much about the history of females in gangs, we can at least know that even back in 1967 there was a significant amount of female involvement. Illustrating the fact that girls? participation in gangs is nothing new. As we continue to look further into girls? presence in gangs we can look into the findings of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program. This program consists of self-report data from seven different cities across the United States on gang participation. In the newly, more refined, G.R.E.A.T. II self-report survey, that was conducted in 2007-2008, the results showed that girls gang members made up about 41.4% of all gang members (Peterson, 2012). This comes into perspective on the development of girls in gangs when we look back at the G.R.E.A.T. I self-report survey where Peterson (2012) reports that about 35% percent of all gang members self-report that they are female. When you compare these two self-reports surveys, you automatically assume that the presence of girls in gangs is one the rise, the only problem with this assumptions is that both data sets were taken from different groupings of cities, which could have faulted the accuracy of these numbers strictly due to the different makeup of these separate sample populations. As the percentage of females in different self-report surveys varies depending on the where the cities samples were taken from, and also by racial and ethnical background of that population. However these self-report surveys seem to have a better accuracy to the true make up of girls? participation within gangs as when we look at law enforcement data we see that,
?Law enforcement policies and strategies help shape their depiction of gangs as primarily male and older. In a report on their survey in law enforcement agencies that estimated females at just 3.65% of gang members, Curry at al. (1994) note that, ?in a number of cities females were regulated statistically to the status of ?associate? members? (p. 8).?
Continuing on this topic we also see that law enforcement officers focus on more serious crimes and delinquency that is more commonly seen to be committed by males of older aged youth groups. Another factor that makes these numbers so widely spread is the fact that youth surveys are usually given to younger youth groups; which would make sense as to why we see a higher rate of female involvement as we know that females tend to join and leave gangs at a much earlier age. While the law enforcement data is based off an older age group of individuals, which would make sense as to why males would make up a majority of their data as we know what males are much more likely to stay with the gang into older ages (Peterson, 2012). Therefore the difference in male and female gang involvement is exemplified by this research data but still not an exact science.
When it comes to female gang joining, ?There are three types of female gang involvement: (1) membership in an independent gang, (2) regular membership in a male gang as a coed, and (3) as female auxiliaries of male gangs (Chesney-Lind and Shelden, 2014).? Most girls are seen to exhibit their participation in the third type of gang involvement as female auxiliaries or extensions of preexisting male gangs. The female auxiliaries are however starting to become more and more like their own gang; with their own structure. With this being said we can see the development of girls in gangs, or at least the knowledge of their participation is now finally starting to surface through more and more research on the topic. However not all girls would be happy just to be call an ?associate? of the gang as many girls declare themselves as core members of the gang. The sex composition of a gang seems to play a big role on the majority of females to take the claim of being core gang members. For when we look at all or majority females gangs, research shows that about 67% of females declare themselves as core members of the gang; while in compared to 57% in sex-balanced gangs, and a only 39% in majority male gangs (Peterson et al, 2001). Sex composition of the gang in which a girl is involved in also in fact plays a role in the level of criminal involvement amongst females within such gangs. As we see that when girls are in a majority male gangs, their rate of personal and property crime is at its highest, with the next highest going to girls in sex-balanced gangs, and the lowest about of offending in all or majority female gangs (Peterson et al. 2001). We see similar levels of delinquency in girls that a involved in mostly male gangs because males are tent to be involved in higher levels of delinquency and these habits are then reflected by the female gang members actions as well as they spend so much time with them.
As we know all gang members and even non-gang young participate in the accessional delinquent activity, just some more than others, and girls are no acceptation. We see that, gang girls? levels of property and violent crime are lower than gang boys?, they are greater than non-gang girls? and even non-gang boys? delinquency (Deschenes and Esbensen, 1991; Esbensen et al. 1991; Esbensen and Huizinga 1993; Miller, 2001).? And once someone is involved in a gang their rate of delinquency will never be the same that it was before they joined the gang. For delinquency is at its lowest before gang involvement, peeks during gang involvement, and then lowers after leaving the gang but will never be as low as it was before joining the gang in the first place, leaving them worse off than before they decided to join the gang.
Girls? experiences and involvement in gangs can be detrimental not only because they will be involved in more delinquency and violence, but because it can also have long term effects on their lives; even after leaving the gang. As joining a gang may seem like a good idea at first as it can be an escape and fill all this voids in one?s life, in the long run it can inflict even more damage. Although not much research has been done on the risk factors or reasons for gang joining across genders, Klein and Maxson (2006) discovered that across twenty different studies that there are,
?Six factors that were consistently or mostly supported as risk factors for gang membership: lack of parental supervision, negative life events (e.g, serious illness, school suspension, and intimate relationship disruption), early problem behaviors (e.g., reactivity, aggression, and impulsivity), antisocial beliefs, delinquent peers, and commitment to deviant peers.?
These six factors are found to be correlated to risk for gang joining for both males and females, however there are some factors found to be more gender related then others. For example factors that show to greatly influence girls to join gangs include, domestic violence, sexual assault, parental criminality, substance abuse, and mental health (Fleisher, 1998; Miller, J. 2001). From this information we could see as to why females tend to report joining gangs as a means of protection. For if they are not receiving the protection to which they would expect from their families at home then it is no wonder that they would venture out to fill such means through other people or other groups, such as gangs. This is backed up by the Miller (2001) as she that girls join gangs a fair rate ?as a means of protecting themselves from violence and other family problems and from mistreatment at the hands of other men in their lives. Within the gang, girls? friendships provide and outlet for members to cope with abuse and other life problems.? From this you can see how a gang could seem like a great outlet to a young girls going through such harsh family problems and leading them to view the gang as almost a second family without these problems as they great ties and friendships with other members of the gang. Although this may seem like the perfect solution to a young girls problems at home, sometimes getting into the gang calls for some sort of initiation. Chesney-Lind and Shelden (2014) talk about the many different ways to with one could be initiated; such as participating in some form of criminal activity, getting beaten in, or being sexed in. Being sexed in would involve a girls to have sex with multiple gang members, and the criminal acts to get in could include anything from robbery to participating in a drive by shooting. As a young female, if you are sexed in to a gang that could make you viewed as venerable to future victimization and could lead to such (Miller, 2002). Also participating in other criminal activity within the gang could also lead you to be arrested and possibly incarcerated.
So what theoretical explanation is there to why girls join gangs if it just leaves them in greater hardship then before they joined the gang?

Taking in consideration of the factors discussed earlier that influence young girls into seeking out means of protection, we run into the indication of strain theory. Strain theory is the idea that people engage in crime or delinquency as a result of certain strains in their life that make them feel as if it is the only way to help solve the problem (Agnew, 2002). For instance Agnew (2002) continues to describe strain theory with an example by stating that someone, ?may engage in violence to end harassment from others, they may steal to reduce financial problems, or they may run away from home to escape abusive parents.? This is a perfectly illustrated example as to why many young girls find themselves joining gang to escape such strains they deal with every single day within their home. Another theory that helps support the idea of young females finding themselves joining gangs because of peer influence, whether that be from an older sibling or friends that are gang involved, is known as social learning theory. Social learning theory is when people find themselves engaging in crime because they have learned such habits from people that they associate with; friends, family, whoever that may be (Agnew, 2002). Through this learning environment Agnew (2002) describes how people tent to eventually view crime as something that is ?desirable

or at least justifiable in certain situations.? This can be seen in youth gang joining when younger siblings have older sibling or friends within a gang and are surrounded but crime and deviant behavior their whole lives. This can lead to them viewing such activity as not only acceptable, but as desirable; considering this criminal and delinquent behavior is being displayed to them by people that they trust, love, and most importantly look up too and aspire to be. These theories describe and explain two of the main reasons we see young girls join gangs, and when you truly look at their life courses and experiences, you can see as to why they viewed joining a gang a positive or idealistic choice.
How can we prevent young girls from going down the wrong path and joining gang? In order to even start to answer this question we need to recognize the problem. Through previous explanation we see why girls feel as though joining a gang is a solution to their problems, so in order to prevent these girls from resorting to gang joining we need to be able provide a safe haven for them turn to that will fill that gaps in their lives they are so desperately searching to fill. We can begin to do this by addressing their problems and strains and find a way to help them through these pivotal times in their live. Peterson (2012) hits the nail on the head by targeting some of the main stressors that cause girls to turn to gangs; she proclaims that in order to prevent girls from joining gang that we need to,
?protect girls form physical and sexual abuse, sexual double standards, exploitation, and assault; break the cycle of familial gang involvement; provide affordable, available pro-social activities that are structured and supervised; encourage and support girls to make healthy choices about peer and activities; support girls in school and make available meaningful work; and provide opportunities empowerment, growth, and explorations of identify.?
As you can see Peterson provides a long list of factors within a young girls life of whom is stuck in a poverty stricken, low class, minority, gang cultured environment. It is hard to reach all the needs of someone who is faced with so many hardships in their life. Not only to keep in mind the fact that they have to face the social injustices of sexism, racism, classism, and educational, social, and political barriers on a daily basis (Peterson, 2012). Once you realize all the strains that are seen within the lives of at risk female youth, you begin to see that the prevention and recovery process of the gang involved can be a long road, but we have to start somewhere in order to help solve the detrimental problem that gangs have on girls. One beautiful program that I believe would be a great starting point of correcting this problem before is even begins is the Nurse-Family Partnership Program. This program begins at the early stages of pregnancy and continues all the way to the time the child turns two years of age. Nurses join together to work with low-income pregnant mothers, who are pregnant with their first child, with the goals to improve pregnancy outcomes, infant health, and development of the child. They also strive to improve the mother's own personal life-course development by teaching them important parenting skills through bi-weekly visits that last 60-90 minutes. These visits prompt young mothers to live a healthy life style, including promoting them to avoid the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. This program proved to show a reductions in domestic violence, unintended pregnancies, child abuse/neglect, health problems amongst new borns and children, behavioral problems caused but drugs or alcohol, and emotional problems. Also in follow up studies of children, now at the age of 6, whose mothers participated within this program showed an improvements in intellect, behavior, and relationship with parents. Children who were a part of the program also held less arrests and convictions then children whom did not participate in a follow up study taken at age 15 and 19. Overall the program had a significant effect on the positive relationships between parents and their children (Olds, 2016). The development of a child, as mentioned earlier, begins from the day they are born, as they develop into the person they will be at an older age because of the people that they are surrounded by and the environment they are raised and socialized in. This is why I view this program as a very impactful program that could have great benefits in the long run on a child?s life.
Other programs that would be extremely beneficial to young females who are going through such strains in their lives would be programs the give them another alternative to gang joining, a program that would support them and allow them to make positive friendships and help them find that family away from home, rather than resorting to gang involvement, such as after school program, clubs, sports teams, or something of that sort.

Also the implementation of a program that will make the problem of sexual assault and domestic violence known, while also providing counseling and help to those affected by it would also be very beneficial to young girls at risk for joining gangs. A promising program that addresses this problem is known as Multisystemic Therapy ? Problem Sexual Behavior or (MST-PSB). This program targets the problem of sexual assault at the family and peer level. At the family level this program aims to ?(a) reduce caregiver and youth denial about the sexual offenses and their sequelae, (b) remove barriers to effective parenting, (c) enhance parenting knowledge, and (d) promote affection and communication among family members (Borduin, Letourneau, Henggeler, & Swenson, 2009).? The goal of this program is not to hide the problem, but focus on fixing it but reducing the risk of sexual assault and harm, prevent relapses, and protect well-being and safely of the victim. This program showed great success in the reduction of offending and helps raise awareness of the

problem of sexual assault that many young girls have to face and this is why I also believe that this program is an amazing effort to help fight against girls having to resort to gang involvement because of sexual assault or any time of victimization at home.
Throughout my research of the problem of girls within gangs, and the effects if has on their lives has become quite clear. As girls? involvement within gangs is not to be over looked. The strain that is put upon them socially and economically deprives young woman of social bonds needed, causing them the join gangs which only results in a greater amount of victimization, higher pregnancy rates, and a greater involvement in crime. These factors change the life course of these young woman for the worse and cause them to struggle even more than before. But with the implementation of the right programs we can help lower the rate of girls? involvement in gangs and lead them down the right path. With the implementation of the Nurse-Family Partnership Program, Multisystemic Therapy ? Problem Sexual Behavior program, and programs alike, we both prevent the problem of disconnect within the family, promote family bonds, fight against some of the leading factors that push young girls into believing that joining a gang is the only way out, and help young woman everywhere and encourage them to make better life choices and go on to thrive happily and successfully within our society.
Work Citied
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Peterson, D. (2012). Girlfriends, Gun-Holders, and Ghetto-Rats? Moving Beyond Narrow Views of Girls in Gangs. Miller, S., Leve, L. D., & Kerig, P. K. Delinquent Girls: Contexts, Relationships, and Adaption, 71-84. New York: Springer.

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Miller, J. (1998). Gender and Victimization Risk among Young Woman in Gangs. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency. 35: 429-453.

Haymoz, S., Gatti, U. (2010). Girl Members of Deviant Youth Groups, Offending Behavior and Victimization: Results from the ISRD2 in Italy and Switzerland. European Journal of Criminal Policy and Research. 16(3): 1-16.

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