Citation

Kakar S. J. Gang Res. 2008; 15(4): 65-76.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, National Gang Crime Research Center)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study explored the connections between gang affiliation and negative perceptions about authority, law enforcement, and laws and whether negative perceptions enhanced an individual’s propensity to become a threat to homeland security and terrorism. Analysis indicates that gang affiliation and negative perceptions about authority, law enforcement, and laws are associated. In addition, results reveal that although young adults with gang affiliation are more likely to hold negative perceptions and are more likely to be enticed by any organization that challenges authority and provides members with a sense of belonging and introduces gang members to terrorist activities, gang affiliation by itself is neither a certain nor an inevitable precursor to becoming a threat to homeland security and terrorism. Prior research has shown that the proliferation of youth gangs since 1980 has fueled the public’s fear and magnified possible misconceptions about youth gangs. These perceptions have led some to believe that gang affiliation augments individual members’ propensity to join more serious groups, such as terrorist groups, which in turn enhances their probability for becoming a threat to homeland security. This research study explored the contribution of family criminality to delinquency, the contiguous effects of gang membership, family criminality, and delinquent friends on subsequent terrorist activities and threat to homeland security.