Female gangs
According to Howell, historically, gang researchers could not notice the active involvement of girls. The reasons are; the researchers and the society had the perception that female gangs were not important, they did not play a significant role and they associated themselves with the male gang. Researchers believed that gangs were male-dominated and girls were not real gangs but they were ‘male imitations' or they imitated the male criminal behaviors (Howell, 2012). Secondly, researchers believed that female gangs were sex objects and girlfriends. In other words, they were treated as weapon carriers or they assisted men in carrying weapons, gathering intelligence and providing sexual favors. Third, the researchers relied on the perception that female and male gangs differ greatly. Focusing on the structure and characteristics of both, the past researchers believed that female gangs lacked gang instinct whereas boys had a high tendency to engage in criminal behaviors (Howell, 2012). On the same note, it was argued that the social behaviors of girls from the tradition and customs were not related to gang activities. Again, girls were closely supervised and well incorporated into the social structure and thus they could not engage in criminal behaviors.
The gang research increased in 1970 and since this period, several studies have confirmed that female gang members engage in violent behaviors. However, despite the increase in gang research, female gang involvement is increasing (Howell, 2012). The studies have reported that in the past decade, female gang involvement is high and female members engage in violent delinquency more than female criminals who are not in gangs. Today, both male and female gangs are committing similar crimes such as robbery, assault among other violent offenses. The studies also state that the rise in female gangs started in the 1980s due to the ‘economic restructuring' which gave way to gang opportunities (Howell, 2012). Female gangs are engaging in drug dealing, physical fights, substance abuse and other risky behaviors. Despite the vigorous research on gang, I believe that female gang involvement is increasing since the factors that influence them toward joining gangs have not been solved. Factors such as poor home life, lack of economic development, neighborhood violence are some of the factors that influence girls in joining gang (Howell, 2012). To reduce the involvement, there should be social interventions, community mobilization and human service programs that will provide jobs to young people and education opportunities.
The first instance of a criminal activity committed by a female-gang is about a female gang who stole yoga pants worth of $17,000 at one Fresno store. Three women entered the store and filled their bags with the most expensive yoga pants worth 100$ each (Fernandez, 2018). According to the investigation, the three women are part of a female gang that stole about $145, 000 from Lululemon stores. The police are going on with the investigation and anyone with any information is requested to contact the police.
The second instance is about a woman from the MS-13 gang who was sentenced 95years for robberies in Montgomery. The woman participated in planning and engaging in the armed robbery. She will first serve 25% in the prion before applying for parole (Hemphill Anjali, 2018). The third instance is about female gang known as ‘Operation Bloodette' who was convicted for drug-trafficking of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana which worth $2.6 million per year (Philip, 2009).
In the three instances, the crimes committed that is; theft and armed robbery were treated the same as the crimes committed by male gangs. For example, in the first case, the police did not ignore the female gang but they were to continue with the investigation. Similar, the female gangs in the second case was sentenced and the female gangs in the third case were arrested.
References
Fernandez Alexia. (2018). Gangs of Thieves Targeting Lululemon, Women Stole $17,000 of Yoga Pants from Just One Store Alone. PEOPLE.com. Retrieved from: https://people.com/crime/women-allegedly-stole-thousands-dollars-lululemon-yoga-pants/
Philip. (2009). ‘Operation Bloodette’ nets 43 members of female-led drug ring. NEW JERSEY REAL-TIME NEWS. Retrieved from: https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/operation_bloodette_nets_43_me.html
Hemphill Anjali. (2018). Woman sentenced 95 years for MS-13 gang-related armed robberies in
Montgomery County. Fox5dc.com
Retrieved from: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/woman-sentenced-95-years-for-ms-13-gang-related-armed-robberies-in-montgomery-county
Howell, J. C. (2012). Gangs in America's communities. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications.
