JUST EVERY MOTHERS ANGEL - AN ANALYSIS OF GENDER AND ETHNIC VARIATIONS IN YOUTH GANG MEMBERSHIP

Few studies of gangs have explored both ethnic and gender variations i n the experience of gang membership. Based on an analysis of interview s with 48 youth from a number of ethnic gangs in Hawaii, this article explores boys' and girls' reasons for joining gangs. The results sugge st that although gang members face common problems, they deal with the se in ways that are uniquely informed by gender and ethnicity. The int erviews also confirm that extensive concern about violent criminal act ivities in boys' gangs has distracted researchers from exploring the w ide range of activities and experiences gangs provide their members. G irls and boys growing up in poor and violent neighborhoods turn to the gangs for many reasons, and the gangs themselves take on a variety of forms in response to the diverse challenges facing their members. Mos t important, the interviews reveal that girls and boys, even those in the same ethnic groups, inhabit worlds that are heavily influenced by gender. As a result, male and female gangs tend to provide different s ets of experiences, skill and opportunities to their members.