Introduction Theory and Methodology A Note on Social Theory and the American Street Gang, by Sudhir Venkatesh Gangs and Politics Toward a Typology of Contemporary Mexican American Youth Gangs, by Avelardo Valdez Gangs, Agency, and At-risk Youth The Negligible Role of Gangs in Drug Distribution in New York City in the 1990s, by Ric Curtis Women and Gangs Marginal Youth, Personal Identity, and the Contemporary Gang: Reconstructing the Social World?, by Kevin McDonald Gangs and Social Control Gangs and the Contemporary Urban Struggle: An Unappreciated Aspect of Gangs, by Albert DiChiara and Russell Chabot Gangs and Photography Urban Street Activists: Gang and Community Efforts to Bring Justice to Los Angeles Neighborhoods, by Juan Francisco Esteva Martinez 7. The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation and the Spirituality of Resistance: Agency Social Cohesion and Liberating Rituals in the Making of a Street Organization., by Luis Barrios 8. Education in the Reform of Street Organizations in New York City, by David Brotherton Liberating yet Limiting: The Paradox of Female Gang Membership, by Dana Nurge Amor de Reina! The Pushes and Pulls of Group Membership among the Latin Queens, by David Brotherton and Camila Salazar-Atias Gangs and the Law, by Loren Siegel The Gang Crackdown in the Prisons of Massachusetts: Arbitrary and Harsh Treatment Can Only Make Matters Worse, by Phillip Kassel On the Subject of Gang Photography, by Richard Rodriguez From Civil War to Gang War: The Tragedy of Edgar Bolanos, by Donna DeCesare Snapshots of a Movement: The New York Latin Kings and Queens 1996--99, by Steve Hart and David Brotherton

"From the Jets to the Bloods to the Latin Kings, gangs have long symbolized the roughest parts of urban America. Still, argues this collection of essays, crime and theft are just a part of what fuels their existence; gangs' roles in communities is far more complex." -- City Limits "A refreshing anthology on gang life in the US. The editors have compiled fascinating, serious, and informative articles concerned with the theoretical and methodological contexts of gang research, women and gangs, links between gangs and politics, the problems of youth and gang life, and the social control of gangs... An excellent, very readable source. Highly recommended." -- Choice "The popular image that depicts gangs as nothing more than criminal enterprises is too restrictive a picture. Gangs and Society moves beyond this tradition and instead represents an important advancement in understanding the role gangs play in some urban communities... this work is certainly a meaningful addition to the existing gang literature." -- Sean P. Varano, Contemporary Sociology "The book's editors...do a remarkable job of highlighting the economic, political, social and cultural factors that impact the activities of gangs." -- Matthew T. Theriot, Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

"Finally! A solidly researched book that challenges the conservative academic dogma of gang members as incorrigible superpredators... May this book provoke a great rethinking of all that is amiss in our society today." -- Tom Hayden, professor at Occidental College and former California state senator "An outstanding set of articles that constitute a new look at an old phenomenon, the urban youth gang." -- William Kornblum, chair at the Center for Urban Research, professor of sociology at City University of New York Graduate Center "Challenges much conventional wisdom about gangs and fills a long-standing gap... Many of the pieces-most conspicuously those on photojournalism-offer a fresh perspective in the often stale scholarly discourse on this most political of criminological topics." -- Joan Moore, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee