- Published: August 2, 2022
- Updated: August 2, 2022
- University / College: University of Ottawa
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Downloads: 16
Gangs and gang behavior – week 6 Gangs and gang behavior – week 6 Why Does The Presence Of Males In Female Gangs Elevate The Criminal Involvement Of The Group As A Whole?
The presence of males in female gangs elevates the criminal activities of the gang group as a whole. Criminologists have carried out research in several states, which show that when males get involved in female gangs, there is the likelihood of elevation of criminal involvement of the gangs as a whole in serious violent crimes (James, 2012). Criminologist further suggests that gender diversity in a gang group determines the rate of crime a gang can commit.
One cited reason for increased rate of crime in female gangs that have male members is that males are more likely to be violent under the influence of drugs than females. Gangs dominated by male are found to have a high delinquency rate than that gang dominated by females since males have a high chance of controlling gangs and motivating female members to see the “ benefits” of violent crime in terms of the rewards attached to these types of crimes. Hence, the involvement of male in female gangs might lead to the females in getting involved in crime that is more dangerous.
Female gang groups are seen to be less violent than the male gangs are since females are less likely to use weapons against victims than males (James, 2012). Hence, the presence of males in female gangs increases the chances of the females using weapons against their victims when the males motivate the females to use weapons as a way of achieving the ends. Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that female gangs with males have a high possibility of getting involved in law breaking activities at higher frequencies than those having only female members due to the influence of the male bravado in these gangs.
Most females leave, gangs at an earlier age than the boys do. Hence, by having males in the female gangs there is high probability that males will extend their stay thus leading to the female dominated gangs to be more involved in serious crime. This is because studies have shown that women grow out of crime at higher rates than males do (James, 2012).
Reference
James, C. (2012). Gangs in America’s Communities. New York: Sage.