Menacing or Mimicking? Realities of Youth Gangs

Abstract

ABSTRACT Since the 1980s, youth gangs in the United States have been a high priority for law enforcement and the subject of a great deal of media attention, particularly in urban areas. Despite all the attention given to them, youth gangs remain poorly defined and vaguely characterized, and in many less populated communities, myths about youth gangs complicate the determination of appropriate community responses. To assist communities in combating gangs, this article illuminates numerous gang myths and contrasts them with research‐based realities. It concludes with implications and recommendations for community—including juvenile court—responses to gangs.