Running head: REFLECTION PAPER OF GANG FORMATIONS
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REFLECTION PAPER OF GANG FORMATIONS
Reflection Paper Of Gang Formations
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In this week’s class and chapter 3 reading, I learned about various gang formations and why each group prefers a particular formation. Sanchez-Jankowski (1991) grouped gangs into 3 formations, vertical/hierarchy, horizontal commission, and influential model formation. We learned that in vertical hierarchy formation, the group is led by the godfather, the president, the warlord, and the treasurer. The hierarchical distribution of power means that the decision-making is bestowed on the seniors. In horizontal commission formation, all members have almost equal powers in making key decisions. The chapter also highlighted the main factors that cause gangs to embrace a specific leadership style. For instance, in vertical/hierarchical formation, the group is money-oriented, and power is centralized to simplify the decision-making process and accumulate more wealth (Sanchez-Jankowski, 1991). According to the author, the purpose of horizontal commission formation opposes the hierarchical model. In horizontal commission, members have almost equal power, and the key motive of the group is to protect the neighborhood against other gangs (Sanchez-Jankowski, 1991). I remember a friend whose cousin was in a gang, and he used to explain to the family that the gang had a good intention of protecting the community but at a fee. I found the influential model formation of gangs the most interesting and dangerous because this is the point whereby individuals are in the process of recruitment and can do any crime to prove their loyalty to the group. The membership is temporary because the members are only there for a while before joining hierarchical or horizontal permanent gang formation. For instance, most local street gangs in various states offer protection to their communities. Although influential gangs pretend to protect society, they earn their income through illegal means such as drugs and the black market for counterfeit products. Chapter three was an eye-opener on gang formations, and I hope to learn more about gangs and their ideologies in the next chapters.
References
Sanchez-Jankowski, M. (1991). Islands in the Street: Gangs and American urban society. Berkeley: University of California Press.