For undergraduate Gangs in American Society, Criminology, and Crime and Culture courses in Sociology or Criminal Justice departments. Designed to introduce students to the cultural and structural components of gang activity, American Street Gangs presents a comprehensive review of all the critical elements relevant to the growing phenomenon of gang life. It provides a clear examination of the history of gangs, socio-psychological aspects of individual and group behavior, the major theories and socio-economic reasons as to why gangs exist, descriptions of all types of gangs, as well as law enforcement techniques designed to combat gangs.