ON THE SURFACE, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE INCIDENCE OF GANG FIGHTING IN MEXICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES COULD BE EXPLAINED BY THE STRONG EMPHASIS IN MEXICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE ON THE VALUES OF COURAGE AND DIGNITY -- MACHISMO -- FOR MALES. EXCESSIVE CONCERN WITH SUCH VALUES RESULTS IN AN ESCALATION OF TRIVIAL AFFRONTS INTO MAJOR PHYSICAL CONFRONTATIONS. HOWEVER, INTERVIEWS WITH BARRIO YOUTHS SUGGEST THAT THE EXPLANATION IS MORE COMPLICATED. DURING THE 'MOVEMENT' (LATE 1967 THROUGH EARLY 1972), THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY GAINED A SENSE OF POWER TO INFLUENCE THE INSTITUTIONS AFFECTING IT. DURING THIS PERIOD GANG-RELATED VIOLENCE DECREASED MARKEDLY. AFTER 1972, AS THE INTENSITY OF THE MOVEMENT LESSENED, A SENSE OF ESTRANGEMENT RETURNED AND GANG VIOLENCE INCREASED. THE YOUNG MEN INTERVIEWED ESTIMATED THAT IN 1976 THE VIOLENCE IN THE EAST LOS ANGELES BARRIOS WAS WORSE THAN IT WAS IN THE EARLY 1960'S. THE IMPLICATION IS THAT THE MANNER IN WHICH MACHISMO IS MANIFESTED IN BEHAVIOR DEPENDS ON THE SOCIAL CONTEXT IN WHICH YOUTHS FUNCTION. THE FINDINGS POINT TO A NEED TO LINK THEORIES OF DEVIANCE WITH THEORIES OF POWER AND ITS DISTRIBUTION. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)