U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Impact of Multiple Marginality on Gang Membership and Delinquent Behavior for Hispanic, African American, and White Male Adolescents

NCJ Number
234322
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2011 Pages: 18-42
Author(s)
Marvin D. Krohn; Nicole M. Schmidt; Alan Lizotte; Julie M. Baldwin
Date Published
February 2011
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study compared youth gangs composed of racial or minority groups especially Hispanic.
Abstract
Using data from the Rochester Youth Development Study (RYDS), this article compares Hispanic, African- American, and White male adolescents to determine if the reasons for joining a gang and participating in delinquent behavior differ among these youths. Vigil's multiple marginality perspective informed the selection of variables. The age at which the primary caregiver had her first child, parental expectations for educational achievement, and coming from a Spanish-speaking home predict ever being in a gang and are indirectly related to general delinquency, serious delinquency, and drug sales. These findings are interpreted as reflecting the social structural disadvantages that Hispanic families face and the difficulties that arise as the younger generation becomes less tied to the traditional culture. (Published Abstract)