GENDER AND VICTIMIZATION RISK AMONG YOUNG-WOMEN IN GANGS

Research has documented the enhancement effects of gang involvement fo r criminal offending but little attention has been given to victimizat ion. This article examines how gang involvement shapes young women's r isks of victimization. Based on interviews with active gang members, t he author suggests that (I) gang participation exposes youths to victi mization risk and (2) it does so in gendered ways. Young women can use gender to decrease their risk of being harmed by rival gangs or other street participants by not participating in ''masculine'' activities such as fighting and committing crime. However; the consequence is tha t they are viewed as lesser members of their gangs and may be exposed to greater risk of victimization within their gangs. The author sugges ts that more research is needed to examine whether and how gang involv ement enhances youths' exposure to victimization risk and that researc hers should maintain a recognition of the role of gender in shaping th ese processes.