Youth Gangs: An Essay Review

Abstract

Human service agencies have generally withdrawn attention from the youth gang problem in recent decades. However, evolving broader national policy will require greater involvement by social service agencies. The present survey of the recent gang literature is a partial effort to facilitate the social work reinvolvement process. Current studies of youth gangs are critiqued. The review of the literature is organized into the following sections: research method, definition of the problem, theory, racism, behavior patterns, drugs and violence, personality issues, female membership in gangs, and policy and programs. The need for more policy- and program-relevant studies is indicated. Notes