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Gangsta in the House
Gangsta in the House is a compelling, extraordinary account of youth-gang activity that demystifies their culture and explains why our children are turning to gangs. In clear unequivocal language, this books explains how society's behavoir may be encouraging it, and the steps we need to take to ensure a positive impact on our children and our communities.
183 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
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October 26, 2009
This book was a good introduction into the rationale behind gang culture. The authors main thesis was that ganga members share low self esteem, desire for healthy boundaries, and redefine success and failiure.
Contrary the the empowerement theory that suggests that gang members are seeking control over their environement and destiny by joining a gang, Knox posits that the opposite may in fact be true. He notes that many of the gang members report that their favourite parts of gang life are the rules and regulation to which they must adhere. Much of the sense of belonging comes from these strict codes of conduct that apply equally to each gang member and are enforced consistently across time. These rules range from dress code ( gang colours, insignia) to behavioural expectations ( act mean, "disrespect rival gangs', back up co members) to punitive measures (if you are seen fraternizing with rival gang members you are likely to endure a beating or other physical reprocussions). Knox sees this as evidence of a clear lack of boundaries and structure in the youth's upbringing. Both a lack of discipline in the household and school and an over discipline stemming from abuse breeds confusion about the approipriateness of behaviours. This lack of boundaries breeds a low self esteem. Ultimately it is this lakc of assurance about personal worth that makes kids gravitate towards ganag promising them status, security and most of all respect.
In interestingly, there seems to be a cognitive component in this attraction to ganag life as most gang memebers confuse respect for fear. They often to not comprehend that respect differs from fear in that respect attract people to the respected person and fear repells them.
Gang members may also be emotionally unripe as their value concerning friendships seem to be juvenile. Knox points out that the way gang members describe their 'friends' is mostly through the illigal activities that they commit together as well as the ilicit drugs they consume in each others presence. There is no real bond amonf gang members except for when the co members knew each other prior to joining a gang. I really wish Knox ventured to explain how this flawed schema of friendships forms and whether it is part of an over arching attachment disorder or mainly limited to friendships.
Contrary the the empowerement theory that suggests that gang members are seeking control over their environement and destiny by joining a gang, Knox posits that the opposite may in fact be true. He notes that many of the gang members report that their favourite parts of gang life are the rules and regulation to which they must adhere. Much of the sense of belonging comes from these strict codes of conduct that apply equally to each gang member and are enforced consistently across time. These rules range from dress code ( gang colours, insignia) to behavioural expectations ( act mean, "disrespect rival gangs', back up co members) to punitive measures (if you are seen fraternizing with rival gang members you are likely to endure a beating or other physical reprocussions). Knox sees this as evidence of a clear lack of boundaries and structure in the youth's upbringing. Both a lack of discipline in the household and school and an over discipline stemming from abuse breeds confusion about the approipriateness of behaviours. This lack of boundaries breeds a low self esteem. Ultimately it is this lakc of assurance about personal worth that makes kids gravitate towards ganag promising them status, security and most of all respect.
In interestingly, there seems to be a cognitive component in this attraction to ganag life as most gang memebers confuse respect for fear. They often to not comprehend that respect differs from fear in that respect attract people to the respected person and fear repells them.
Gang members may also be emotionally unripe as their value concerning friendships seem to be juvenile. Knox points out that the way gang members describe their 'friends' is mostly through the illigal activities that they commit together as well as the ilicit drugs they consume in each others presence. There is no real bond amonf gang members except for when the co members knew each other prior to joining a gang. I really wish Knox ventured to explain how this flawed schema of friendships forms and whether it is part of an over arching attachment disorder or mainly limited to friendships.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review