Provide the various definitions used to describe gangs

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Delinquency experts are often at odds over the precise definition of a gang. The term is sometimes used broadly to describe any congregation of youths who have joined together to engage in delinquent acts. However, police departments often use it only to refer to cohesive groups that hold and defend territory or turf.

Academic experts have also created a variety of definitions. Gang expert Malcolm Klein argues that two factors stand out in all definitions:
• Members have self-recognition of their gang status and use special vocabulary, clothing, signs, colors, graffiti, and names. Members set themselves apart from the community and are viewed as a separate entity by others. Once they get the label of gang, members eventually accept and take pride in their status.
• There is a commitment to criminal activity, although even the most criminal gang members spend the bulk of their time in noncriminal activities.

The National Gang Center uses this definition:
• The group has three or more members, generally ages 12 to 24
• Members share an identity, typically linked to a name and often other symbols.
• Members view themselves as a gang, and they are recognized by others as a gang.
• The group has some permanence and a degree of organization.
• The group is involved in an elevated level of criminal activity.