Title: Gangs | Encyclopedia.com
Headings: 
Gangs
Gangs
Defining Gangs
Gang Formation
Symbols of Gangs and Gang Membership
Gangs and Crime
Gangs and Neighborhoods
Gangs and Ethnicity
Female Gangs
Family, Gangs, and the Gang as Family
Gangs Internationally
Conclusion
Bibliography
Gangs
GANGS
Background
Federal Law
State Law
Do Anti-gang Laws Violate the Constitution?
further readings
Local Ordinances
Constitutionality of Anti-Gang Laws
further readings
cross-references
Gangs
Gangs
BRAZIL
CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES
CENTRAL AMERICA
COLOMBIA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gangs
Gangs
Definition
Description
Risk factors
Demographics
Causes
When to intervene
Indicators
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Parental concerns
Resources
BOOKS
PERIODICALS
ORGANIZATIONS
WEB SITES
Gangs
Gangs
Further Reading
Further Information
Gangs
Youth Gangs
Gangs
gangs

Content: access to drugs and alcohol; and monetary opportunities through illegal markets. In most cases, youths believe that the gang will provide them with things they could not otherwise obtain. Many gang members report that they joined gangs because of the protection they offered. Youths who live in areas with gangs may be harassed, assaulted, or even killed if they do not belong to a gang, and friends who are tough and have knowledge of the streets may protect them. However, they may also be harmed if they belong to the wrong gang. Research findings are inconclusive as to whether gangs actually protect their members from violence. Gangs may reduce victimization by encouraging their members to develop a protective group identity, as well as by providing physical protection in dangerous neighborhoods and situations such as confrontations with other gangs (Sanchez-Jankowski 1991). However, as noted earlier, gangs often use violence when initiating new members, and violence is frequently used as a way of controlling members. In addition, female gang members have heightened risks of sexual victimization by the males in their gangs (Miller 2001).