The analysis considers black lower-class community and culture, the gang as an extended family, the pervasive presence of the gang, the structure of the gang, issues related to territoriality, the role of symbolic culture in the emergence of identity, female gang members, and the language and expression used by gang members. The analysis concludes that perceptions of the gang's subculture influence children's play activities as exposure to the gang increases. Thus, young children gradually incorporate some or many gang subcultural norms into their evolving sense of self. Philadelphia's black youth gangs can also be seen as adaptive organizations, that have persisted over succeeding generations. Although some youths are forced to join, most join because they desire membership. Joining the gang allows youths to structure their environment. Glossary and 193 references