Week 3 Assignment

Application: Male and Female Gang Members

Gender is a recent contributing factor to gang differences. Growing numbers of female gang members are joining historically all-male gangs and are even forming all-female gangs. Although male and female gang members tend to share similar background characteristics, such as being raised in broken homes and living in poverty, they are different in many ways. The most dramatic differences relate to initiation rituals, responsibilities, and behaviors. For example, male gang members tend to be much more violent than female gang members.

To prepare for this assignment:

Consider the key characteristics of gangs and gang members, including their appearance and activities.

 Pay attention to the characteristics of female gangs and female gang members. Reflect on the main differences between female gang members and male gang members.

Review the video, “Gangs on Tribal Lands.” Consider the differences in gang members based on ethnicity and gender.

Video: The New York Times. (Producer). (2009). Gangs on tribal lands.

• Review the article, “Female Gangs: A Focus on Research.”
  Reflect on the main differences between female gang members and male gang
  members, especially in terms of their involvement in violence and criminal
  behaviors.
• Article: Moore, J., & Hagedorn, J. (2001, March). Female gangs:
  A focus on research. U.S. Department of Justice: Juvenile Justice
  Bulletin, March, 1–11. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/186159.pdf
  
  

Consider the main differences between male and female gang members in terms of factors that contribute to their membership, their initiation experiences, their roles and responsibilities with gangs, and their
behaviors.    

The assignment (2–3 pages):

Explain the differences between male and female gang members in terms of:

• Factors that contribute to membership
• Initiation experiences
• Roles and responsibilities within gangs
• Behavior