Degree Name
Education Specialist (EdS)
Semester of Degree Completion
1997
Thesis Director
French L. Fraker
Abstract
This field study of the growth and development of street gangs was conducted in the spring of 1996 at a medium security prison utilizing a semi-structured interview with 69 inmates who were known present or former gang members. Since the sample was taken from a population of convicted felons, the results reflect the environment of the participants and may not be representative of gang members as a whole.
The field study determined that the majority of the participants came from two parent homes, had joined the gang between the ages of 9 and 15, lacked positive male role models, and came from both urban and nonurban areas. Peer or family pressure, survival and economics were the major factors for joining the gangs.
Recommended Citation
Guymon, Audrey D., "Growth and Development of Street Gangs" (1997). Masters Theses. 1831.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/1831
