This study is based on three years of fieldwork with ninety-nine active gang members and twenty-four family members. Although the book focuses on the individual, organizational, and institutional aspects of gang membership, it also explores gang members' involvement with other school and neighborhood structures.

Zusammenfassung
This study is based on three years of field work with 99 active gang members and 24 family members. Through extensive interviews, the book describes the attractiveness of gangs, the process of joining, their chaotic and loose organization, and their members' usual activities.

Inhalt

Introduction; 2. 'Are you claiming?': methods of study; 3. 'I'm down with the Bloods, what's up cuz?': individual issues; 4. 'We ain't no worldwide thing or nothing': group membership issues; 5. 'Where you hanging?': minor crime and gang members; 6. 'I love to bang': serious crime by gang members; 7. Gang members and social institutions; 8. Gang members and their families; 9. Responding to gangs: theory and policy; References.