A Question of Family? Youth and Gangs. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Young, Tara; Fitzgibbon, Wendy; Silverstone, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Youth justice. Volume 14:Number 2(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 185
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: crime -- desistance -- family -- gang -- youth; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Youth -- Legal status, laws, etc -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Juvenile corrections -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 364.360941
• DOI: 10.1177/1473225414537569
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-2254

Abstract

The role of the family as a key factor in encouraging gang membership and criminality is hotly debated. Recent political rhetoric in the UK has highlighted the correlation between 'troubled families' and the rise in youth crime and gang-related violence. This article is concerned with exploring the role of the family in the formation of gangs, gang-related criminality and desistance. The overall aim of the article is to review the research literature. It posits that the evidence that connects the family to 'gang' membership is far from conclusive and argues that the aetiology of gang formation and criminality cannot simply be reduced to poor home environments or 'broken' families.