This excerpt is based on the article ‘Gangs, Migration, and Crime: The Changing Landscape in Europe and the USA’ by Scott H. Decker, Frank van Gemert, and David C. Pyrooz, taken from the Journal of International Migration and Integration (2009) 10:393-408. First, a brief summary of the article as well as core information on the authors and the context of research in which the article falls will be provided. A discussion on the intention of the authors follows and different theories about how gangs form (and change) are presented and examined.
Based on the research and conclusions highlighted in the article, one can further interpret the results from a comparative point of view, for example with respect to Germany, also commenting on the difficulty of conducting cross-national and cross-cultural research. The question will be: Are there gangs in Germany in the sense of the definition that the article follows?
Table of Contents
1. EXCERPT
1.1 Summary
1.2 Research question
1.3 Analysis and reasoning
2. INTERPRETATION
2.1 Contrast to Germany
Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this work is to examine the conditions necessary for gang formation while contrasting findings from European and United States research. It aims to clarify the interplay between immigration, culture, and social structure in the development of gang activity.
- The relationship between immigration, culture, and gang formation.
- Theoretical frameworks for understanding gang development.
- Structural and social conditions contributing to gang activity.
- A comparative perspective on gang phenomena in the USA and Europe.
- Challenges in defining and identifying gangs across different cultural contexts.
Excerpt from the Book
1.3 Analysis and reasoning
In the following, different theories about how gangs form (and change) are presented and examined.
In order for the reader to grasp the different ideas and notions of how gangs form, the authors propose the theoretical background, first explaining immigration patterns in Europe and the US, therefore implying that one has to look at history to understand these patterns, and also at the structural foundation as well as conceptional underpinnings for understanding gang formation.
Decker, van Gemert and Pyrooz (2009: 394) state that immigration, ethnicity, and culture are important components to understanding the changing landscape of gangs in Europe and the US. However, structural factors, e.g. poverty, immigration, class, racism, or disadvantage (404), act as a ‘conditioning element’. The authors basically argue that there are necessary conditions that must be present for gang formation to occur.
The authors base their research on Thrasher’s research, i.e. the ‘ecology of cities’ (394) which highlighted the role that immigrants played in both the creation and the expansion of gangs. He found that new gangs formed regardless of ethnicity and thus revealed interesting facts on the nature of gangs. His proof was the Chicago example, stating that no matter what origin a gang member had, ‘there were structural and social conditions’ that made gang formation possible (394). In addition, Vigil’s research (394) states that ‘while immigration and culture is important’, disadvantage and marginalization are core elements for understanding gang formation. This overall suggests that for gangs to form, ‘necessary structural and social elements’ (394) must exist.
Summary of Chapters
1. EXCERPT: This chapter provides an introduction to the source article by Decker, van Gemert, and Pyrooz, outlining the research context and the authors' backgrounds.
1.1 Summary: This section offers an overview of the core research focus, which explores the relationship between culture, immigration, and gang development in the US and Europe.
1.2 Research question: This part identifies the main objectives of the text, specifically examining the structural conditions for gang formation and comparing international research perspectives.
1.3 Analysis and reasoning: This chapter synthesizes various sociological theories regarding why and how gangs form, emphasizing the roles of structural factors and social conditions.
2. INTERPRETATION: This section applies the findings from the source text to a broader context, specifically focusing on the comparative challenges in cross-national research.
2.1 Contrast to Germany: This final chapter examines the specific situation of gangs in Germany, contrasting local findings with the definitions and structures prevalent in the United States.
Keywords
Gangs, Migration, Crime, Culture, Ethnicity, Immigration, Gang Formation, Structural Factors, Social Disorganization, Multiple Marginality, Youth Groups, Eurogang Research Project, Comparative Criminology, Urban Ecology, Social Conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper primarily explores the interplay between immigration, culture, and gang formation by synthesizing and comparing criminological research from the United States and Europe.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the structural foundations of gang formation, the influence of immigration and ethnicity, the importance of common definitions in research, and the comparative analysis of gang structures internationally.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The goal is to determine the essential conditions that must be present for gang formation to occur and to highlight the similarities and differences in how these groups are studied in the US and Europe.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes a literature-based analysis and synthesis of existing criminological research, specifically drawing upon data and frameworks provided by the Eurogang Research Project.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines various theories of gang formation—such as social disorganization theory, anomie, and multiple marginality—while discussing the role of environmental, structural, and cultural factors.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The paper is characterized by terms such as gang formation, migration, cultural criminology, structural social conditions, and comparative analysis.
How does the author define a "gang" in this context?
The text adopts a definition of a gang as any durable, street-oriented youth group whose involvement in illegal activity serves as their primary group identity.
How does the situation in Germany differ from the US regarding gang activity?
Research suggests that a formal "gang problem" in the American sense does not exist in Germany, although gang-like behaviors and small groups resembling street gangs have been identified, particularly among immigrant youth or marginalized communities.
Why is the definition of "culture" critical to this research?
A consistent definition of culture is required to avoid incommensurability, ensuring that researchers are referring to the same entity—specifically defined here as the collection of behaviors and beliefs held by a group representing their accumulated experiences.
What warning do the authors provide regarding future gang trends?
The authors warn that if structural conditions in Europe shift toward those observed in the United States, an increase in gang activity within Europe should be expected.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Yannick Unterkircher (Autor:in), 2017, "Gangs, Migration, and Crime: The Changing Landscape in Europe and the USA". A Discussion and Comparison with Germany, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/381374
