Violence in street culture has many causes and channels of legitimization, and some of its aspects can be explained by the Bielefeld disintegration approach. The Bielefeld disintegration approach provides a better understanding of the meaning of social recognition for the use of violence. Juvenile group violence in street culture differs from criminal gang violence in violent countries such as Brazil and the Russian Federation and less violent countries such as Germany. One reason for the differences is that everyday life in violent countries is so harsh that even people who are not interested in fights can regularly get involved in them. In Germany, it is much easier to avoid fights. Another difference is that in the less violent country of Germany, there are only weak ties joining criminal gangs, politicians, state institutions, and the economy, where in Brazil and the Russian Federation there are relatively strong ties enabling illegal business to function with little state interference. Another consideration is the relevance of socioeconomic integration within a society, meaning competition between the social classes. This article shows that the structures and rules of street culture are similar worldwide. When violence, as found in Brazil and the Russian Federation, becomes strong in less violent countries, the key factors seem to be the social and economic situation, the existence of a functioning social welfare system, and the authority of state. 41 notes