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Girlz in the 'Hood

NCJ Number
166159
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 13-17
Author(s)
K L Shonka
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article provides information on the involvement of girls in the gangs of Los Angeles County and provides recommendations for addressing this problem.
Abstract
Female gang members are more likely to belong to cliques or offshoots of male-dominated gangs and answer to that dominant male hierarchy. Few independent female gangs exist apart from male gangs. All gang members are potentially violent; female gang members can become violent if provoked and should always be given the same attention that any law enforcement officer would give to a hard-core male gang member. Females are showing an increasing involvement in gang-related crimes, violent and otherwise. Statistics show that girls become involved in gang activity at ages that range from 11 to 18 years old. Reasons for gang membership among females parallel the reasons for male gang involvement: limited job opportunities, desire for independence, avoidance of traditional responsibilities, desire for freedom, and a sense of identity. This article discusses female roles in black gangs, Hispanic gangs, Asian gangs, and white gangs. The article recommends that any form of gang prevention include a concerted effort to address female gang members; this effort must focus on conditions for girls both at school and at home. Programs that deal with girls on a one-on-one basis have been shown to be effective preventive measures in keeping young girls focused on positive activities and in helping them resist pressures from family and peers to join gangs.

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