Older, Wiser, and a Bit More Badass? Exploring Differences in Juvenile and Adult Gang Members' Gang-Related Attitudes and Behaviors. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watkins, Adam M.; Moule, Richard K.
• Is Part Of: Youth violence and juvenile justice. Volume 12:Number 2(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: adult gang members -- gang turf -- gun ownership and use; Youth and violence -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile delinquency -- United States -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Juvenile corrections -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.360973
• DOI: 10.1177/1541204013485607
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-2040

Abstract

Concerns regarding older gang members have persisted for nearly a century, and yet, these members have received minimal attention from gang scholars. Drawing conceptually from Thornberry, Krohn, Lizotte, Smith, and Tobin's enhancement model and recent research on gang embeddedness, this study uses data from active gang members ( N = 99) to qualitatively compare juvenile and adult gang members' gang-related attitudes and behaviors. This research finds considerable overlap in the responses of juvenile and adult gang members. Both groups defined the gang in social terms and expressed a willingness to violently defend gang turf. Adult members, however, reported greater ownership of multiple firearms, supporting Spergel's contention that lethal violence is more common among adult members due to greater availability of "sophisticated" weapons. The theoretical and policy implications of these findings are discussed.