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Classification of Gangs
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Classification of Gangs
Introduction
Societies are made by individuals; individuals constitute primary space in society and play important roles in running society. Every society or living system is divided into various groups and classes. This classification has been done on the basis of various factors. Some of the groups are classified on the basis of financial distribution, some are based on relationships, and some are based on the roles assigned to them. The groups formed on the basis of financial disparities are known as the elite class or upper class, middle class and lower class. These broad categories have been further divided into sub-categories. The groups formed on the basis of relationships are known as family, clans, and tribes.
In addition to all these types of social groups, there is another form of a social group that is neither formed on the basis of close bonding nor on the financial status of the members of the society but on the roles assigned to them in the society or by their interest in any specific objective (Cloward ET. AL., 2013). A gang is defined as the group of people, friends, family members or associates that come together under a common umbrella for the fulfillment of a common objective or goal. A gang is also known as a street gang or youth gang as mostly young people come together to form a gang (Klein, 1971). The member of a gang is known as a gangster. The following piece of writing focuses on the fact that how various types of gangs are formed and how they are classified on the basis of different factors.
Discussion
Gangs are usually not considered reputed social groups. In fact, the gang is a term mostly used for infamous groups who indulge in notorious and more commonly criminal and illegal activities. Gangs have specific features and properties; they have a defined and strong leadership that controls the whole group or the gang. The leader of the gang claims control over the whole gang and either engages himself or herself in the activities of the gang or just passes orders for the completion of tasks. Another major characteristic of any gang is the continuity of their activities over a period of time. The geographical area or the place does not matter; wherever the gang is present, they will perform their defined activities. The gangs also have an intense internal organization and formal rules that keeps the gang united and strong. Moreover, gangs also have extensive use of non-verbal communication; many gangs are known to user symbols, even graffiti, in order to make communications with the other members.
The classification of gangs depends on various approaches that how these gangs are formed or how they are functioning (Knox, Gilbertson, Etter, & Smith, 1994). There are multiple approaches that refer to the classification of various gangs. The first schema or approach, which is used to identify the classification of the gangs is their role of behavior in society. There may be gangs that are involved in violent, delinquent, entrepreneurial activities or drug dealing. These gangs form the role according to their social nature or according to the nature of the benefit of the leader who is organizing the group. The nature of the activities of the gang rules this schema. The second approach or schema bases its classifications on the formation or the development of the gang. This approach defines the ethnicity, culture and racial composition of the gang. This schema also involves the ways and the patterns on how the gang operates. Third and the last approach for the classification of gangs is based on the objectives of the gangsters.
The study and research on the gangs may be very difficult as the approach to them may be a tedious process. The operations of gangs are not limited to an area or a geographical region; a single gang may be operating in various parts of the country or in a number of countries at the same time. A gang may also migrate to any other part of the world where it can start its operation from an altogether new approach. The study of gangs may be conducted by the help of gang migration, gang proliferation, and gang emergent approaches. There are multiple gangs in the world that are working in a number of countries in the world. Just like a multi-national company, they have their headquarters based in a particular country where their leader resides and passes on orders from there and the sub-branches of the gang work from the other countries. The gang emergent approach refers to the factors and the causes that contribute to the formation of a gang in a particular area (Tita, & Ridgeway, 2007). Moreover, the development of the gang depends upon the environment and the various kind of political, social, economic and law and order scenarios prevailing in that area.
Some of the well-known examples of gangs throughout the history are the Irish mob, the Russian Mafia, the Jewish mob, the Polish Mob, the Italian Mafia, the Triad from China, Yakuza in Japan, the Albanian Mafia and many more (Howell, & Griffiths, 2018).
Conclusion
In a nutshell, it can be clearly seen that gangs are organized social groups that function effectively, in an organized way from any part of the world. These groups have clearly defined patterns of leadership and explicitly defined roles. The objectives are made very clear, and there are certain rules and regulations established from the very beginning. The classification of gangs depends on various factors including their objectives, their leadership styles, their emerging patterns, their migration patterns and the development patterns adopted by the members of the gang.
References
Cloward, R. A., & Ohlin, L. E. (2013). Delinquency and opportunity: A study of delinquent gangs. Routledge.
Howell, J. C., & Griffiths, E. (2018). Gangs in America's communities. Sage Publications.
Klein, M. W. (1971). Street gangs and street workers. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Knox, G. W., Gilbertson, D. L., Etter, G., & Smith, C. F. (1994). An introduction to gangs. Bristol, IN: Wyndham Hall Press.
Tita, G., & Ridgeway, G. (2007). The impact of gang formation on local patterns of crime. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 44(2), 208-237.
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