Skip to main content

School Strategies to Prevent and Address Youth Gang Involvement

  • Chapter
Community Planning to Foster Resilience in Children

Abstract

The devastating nature and impact of school violence entered the nation’s consciousness after the school shootings at Columbine High School in 1999. Communities have struggled to secure their high schools and their students with a renewed vigor and urgency. Many schools have taken different approaches to cope with actual and perceived threats to the safety of their students. Some have adopted “zero-tolerance” policies, installed metal detectors, toughened existing disciplinary codes, and increased security (Ashford, 2000; Kaufman et al., 2000). Additional efforts have included improving a school’s ability to detect potentially violent students (Fey, Nelson, & Roberts, 2000) and instituting violence prevention programs such as conflict resolution, peer mediation, and sensitivity training programs similar to those found on college campuses (Landre, Miller, & Porter, 1997).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ashford, R. (2000). Can zero-tolerance keep our schools safe? Principal, 80(2), 28–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Battin-Pearson, S.R., Guo, J., Hill, K.G., Abbott, R.D., & Hawkins, J.D. (1999). Early predictors of sustained adolescent gang membership. Unpublished manuscript. Seattle, WA: University of Washington, School of Social Work, Social Development Research Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bjerregaard, B., & Smith, C. (1993). Gender differences in gang participation, delinquency, and substance use. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 9 (4): 329–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, P.J., & Laub, J.H. (1998). The unprecedented epidemic in youth violence. In Youth Violence, edited by M. Tonry and M.H. Moore. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, pp. 27–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Covey, H.C., Menard, S., & Franzese, R.J. (1997). Juvenile Gangs, 2nd Ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curry, G.D., & Decker S.H. (1998). Confronting gangs: Crime and community. Los Angeles: CA: Roxbury Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curry, G.D. & Spergel, I.A. (1988). Gang homicide, delinquency, and community. Criminology, 26, 381–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curry, G.D. & Spergel, I.A. (1992). Gang involvement and delinquency among Hispanic and African-American adolescent males. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 29, 273–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decker, S.H., & van Winkle, B. (1996). Life in the gang: Family, friends, and violence. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • DeVoe, J.F., Peter, K., Kaufman, P., Ruddy, S.A., Miller, A.K., Planty, M., Snyder, T.D., & Rand, M.R. (2003). Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2003. NCSE 2004–004/NCJ 201257. U.S. Departments of Education and Justice. Washington DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deschenes, E.P., & Esbensen, F. (1997). Saints, delinquents, and gang members: Differences in attitudes and behavior. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dryfoos, J.G. (1990). Adolescents at risk: Prevalence and prevention. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esbensen, F. (2000). Preventing adolescent gang involvement. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. September 2000. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esbensen, F. & Huizinga, D. (1993a). Gangs, drugs, and delinquency in a survey of urban youth. Criminology, 31(4), 565–589.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esbensen, F., Huizinga, D., & Weiher, A.W. (1993b). Gang and non-gang youth: Differences in explanatory factors. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 9(2), 94–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esbensen, F. & Osgood, D.W. (1997). National Evaluation of G.R.E.A. T Research in Brief. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esbensen, F., & Osgood, D.W. (1999). Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT): Results from the national evaluation. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 36(2), 194–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fey, G., Nelson J., & Roberts, M. (February, 2000). The perils of profiling. School Administrator, Web Edition. http://www.aasa.org/publications/sa/2000­­_02/fey.htm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleisher, M. (1998). Dead end kids. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, K.G., Howell, J.C., Hawkins, J.D., & Battin-Pearson, S.R. (1999). Childhood risk factors for adolescent gang membership: Results from the Seattle Social Development Project. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 36(3), 300–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howell, J.C. (1998). Promising programs for youth gang violence prevention and intervention. In R. Loeber & D.P. Farrington (Eds.). Serious and Violent Juvenile Offenders: Risk Factors and Successful Interventions (pp. 284–312). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell, J.C. (2000). Youth gang programs and strategies. National Youth Gang Center, Institute for Intergovernmental Research, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell J.C., & Lynch, J.P. (2000). Youth gangs in schools. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. August 2000. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, L. (1998). Gangbusters: Strategies for prevention and intervention. American Correctional Association, Lanham, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, P., Chen, X., Choy, S.P., Ruddy, S.A., Miller, A.K., Fleury, J.K., Chandler, K.A., Rand, M.R., Klaus, P., & Planty, M. (2000). Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2000. NCSE 2001–017/NCJ-184176. Washington D.C.: U.S. Departments of Education and Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein, M.W. (1995). The American street gang. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosterman, R., Hawkins, J.D., Hill, K.G., Abbott, R.D., Catalano, R.F., & Guo, J. (1996). The developmental dynamics of gang initiation: When and Why young people join gangs. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology. Chicago, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landre, R., Miller, M., & Porter, D. (1997). Gangs: A handbook for community awareness. New York: Checkmark Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lizotte, A.J., Tesorio, J.M., Thornberry, T.P., & Krohn, M.D. (1994). Patterns of adolescent firearms ownership and use. Justice Quarterly, 11, 51–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maxson, C.L., Whitlock, M.L., & Klein, M.W. (1998). Vulnerability to street gang membership: Implications for practice. Social Service Review, 72, 70–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moffitt, T. (1993). Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. Psychological Review 100(4):674–701.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J.W. (1991). Going down to the barrio: Homeboys and homegirls in change. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • The National Youth Gang Suppression and Intervention Program (1990). Youth Gangs: Problem and response. University of Chicago, 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (1999). Promising strategies to reduce gun violence. Report. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Supplement to vol. 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennell, S., Evans, E., Melton, R., & Hinson, S. (1994). Down for the set: Describing and defining gangs in San Diego. San Diego, CA: Criminal Justice Research Division, Association of Governments.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spergel, I.A. & Grossman, S.F. (1997). The Little Village Project: A community approach to the gang problem. Social Work, 42, 456–470.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spergel, I.A., Grossman, S.F., & Wa, K.M. (1998). The Little Village Gang Violence Reduction Program: A three year evaluation. Unpublished report. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spergel, I.A., Curry, D., Chance, R., Kane, C., Ross, R., Alexander, A., Simmons, E., & Oh, S. (1994). Gang suppression and intervention: Problem and Response. Publication, Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention, October 1994. Retrieved from: http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles/gangprob.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornberry, T.P., Krohn, M.D., Lizotte, A.J. & Chard-Wierschem, D. (1993). The role of juvenile gangs in facilitating delinquent behavior. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 30. 55–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay, R.E., Masse, L., Pagani, L., & Vitaro, F. (1996). From childhood physical aggression to adolescent maladjustment: The Montreal Prevention Experiment. In R. D. Peters & R. J. McMahon (Eds.) Preventing Childhood Disorders, Substance Abuse, and Delinquency, (pp. 268–298). Thousand Oaks, CA: sage Publications, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trump, K.S. (1998). Practical school security: basic guidelines for safe and secure schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press/Sage Publications, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vigil, J.D. (1988). Barrio gangs: Street life and identity in Southern California. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z. (1995). Gang affiliation among Asian-American high school students: A path analysis of a social developmental model. Journal of Gang Research, 2, 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiner, V. (1999). Winning the war against youth gangs: A guide for teens, families, and communities. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2004 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Stephan, S.H., Mathur, S., Owens, C.C. (2004). School Strategies to Prevent and Address Youth Gang Involvement. In: Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Weist, M.D. (eds) Community Planning to Foster Resilience in Children. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-306-48544-2_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-306-48544-2_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0981-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-306-48544-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics