Female Gang in the US Pertaining to Criminal Justice Degree

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My thanks go out to all who have helped me complete this study and with whom this project may have not been possible. In particular, my gratitude goes out to friends, facilitator and family for extensive and helpful comments on early drafts. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who have shared my interest and preceded me. Their works provided me with a host of information to learn from and build upon, also served as examples to emulate.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with the university.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW4

Introduction4

Female Gangs4

Gang Membership in the United States5

Family Dynamics8

Characteristics of Female Gang Members10

CHAPTER 03: METHODOLOGY14

Introduction14

Overview of Qualitative Research14

Literature Search16

Search Rationale17

Critical Appraisal tool17

Reliability and validity17

CHAPTER 04: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS19

Familial Influence on Gang Membership20

Influence of Economic Status on Gang Membership21

CHAPTER 05: CONCLUSION25

Recommendations26

Criminal Justice Professionals27

REFERENCES28

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Female gangs are distributing problem for many American community. They have spread across the country creating fear and challenging policy makers to prevent or suppress their activities. For an increasing number of American females, violence and gang identity have become a way of life.

The number of female gangs and how much crime they commit are subject to debate. Various definitions of gangs and gang crime are used in tracking and research. Record keeping systems also vary, as does the way the data is interpreted. One of the main obstacles in addressing gang activity in communities around the nation is the absence of a universal definition of gangs. Some communities acknowledge difficulties in dealing with groups of females, but refuse to admit that they have a gang problem until the gangs are out of control.

Theoretical Framework

Many authors indicate that multiple variables are involved in sociologic delinquency. and no single one dominates as the specific stimulus. The variables include: all degrees of rejection and cruelty, clashes of class and poverty, child neglect, adult anti-social behavior, and a lack of consistent supervision. Howell (1994) asserted that school failure, poverty, disorganized communities, family deterioration, drugs, and the availability of weapons are recognized factors that explain the recent increase in females' violence in the United States. Vedder and Sommerville (1975) maintained that the adult world has no specific authoritative models for the child, and the child is confused and lacks respect for any code. Therefore, children feel no remorse when they mistreat or steal from those outside their own culture. Females today find it hard to believe in a world where authority figures lie. cheat, and steal. According to Vedder and Sommerville (1975), it appears logical for the adult world to visualize females committing some type of delinquent or anti-social ...