Lifetime Exposure To Violence
by Gender of Gang Members

This table shows the vast differences between the experiences of male and female gang members.
While female gang member exposure to violence may be greater than the typical suburbanite, it
is far less than male gang members.

 

Total Number of times Gang Member was Shot at:

Mean per Gang Member

Total Number of People Gang Member has Seen Killed

Mean per Gang Member

Male Gang Members

N=68

617

9.1

143

2.1

Female Gang Members

N=68

23

.33

21

.31

Median Age of gang members: 28.

 

 

Female Gang Fights by Ethnicity

This table shows how little girls used weapons in their fights,
and the more turf-oriented Latina gangs were. A large number
of all the girls "loved to fight."

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

AFRICAN AMERICANS

LATINAS

SIGNIF.

1. How often did you use weapons?

   

N.S.

never

50.0%

35.8%

 

only once or twice

33.3%

45.3%

 

about half of the time

11.1%

17.0%

 

most of the time

5.6%

1.9%

 

2. What was the main reason for gang fights?

    

p< .01

Respect

23.5%

13.5%

 

Representing, turf

41.2%

78.8%

 

Jealousy, the guys

29.4%

3.8%

 

Felt like it

5.9%

3.8%

 

3. How did you feel about fighting

    

p<.08

Not a Fighter

 

5.6%

 

Down for It

27.8%

51.9%

 

Liked to Fight

72.2%

42.6%

 

4. Did you fight a lot with anyone other than the gang?

    

p< .17

Yes

72.2%

53.7%

 

No

27.8%

46.3%

 

5. Did the girls fight alongside of the guys in gang fights?

   

N.S.

Yes

47.1%

45.3%

 

No

52.9%

49.1%

 

Other

 

5.7%

 

 

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