On completion of this chapter, students should be able to do the following:

• Discuss the history and current status of gangs in the United States
   
• Assess the various theories of gang development and membership
   
• Recognize the relationships among gangs, violence, and drugs
   
• Understand the role of firearms in youth violence
   
• Understand the relationship between delinquency and gang membership
   
• Discuss the characteristics of gang members in terms of age, race/ethnicity, gender, monikers, jargon, and
  graffiti
   
• Discuss a variety of public and private responses to gang activities
   
• Assess various alternatives to incarceration for violent juveniles