CCJS 454 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Elijah Anderson, Enculturation, Peer Pressure

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Course: CCJS 454
• Professor: Justine Madoo

Document Summary

Some aspects of gangs do not fit into mainstream american culture, however, they are also part of mainstream culture in several ways. Gang subculture: gangs tend to have their own distinct set of norms, lifestyles, values, beliefs, codes, as well as sometimes their own clothing styles, colors, graffiti, symbols, and so on. Influence of peers on gang members: development of friendships in elementary school; peer pressure; Members can include regular, periphery, and temporary. Regular members have earlier and more intense street experiences. Chicano gang members have a lot in common: growing up in barrios, adopting a cholo front (appearing, talking, and acting like a gang member), and disengagement from/dropping out of school. Lack of strong attachment to the home and to the school has created an environment in which the gang provides answers. Most youth were marginal members of the gang, engaged mostly in hanging out on the street corners.