Gangs : opposing viewpoints / Laura K. Egendorf, book editor.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Poor parenting causes some children to join gangs / Lewis Yablonsky -- A need for power and respect encourages gang behavior / Isis Sapp-Grant, as told to Rosemarie Robotham -- Peer pressure influences gang behavior / Dale Greer -- Gangster rap glorifies violent behavior / Rick Landre, Mike Miller, and Dee Porter -- Gangs present a serious threat / Steven R. Wiley -- Inaccurate definitions exaggerate the gang threat / Francine Garcia-Hallcom -- Girl gangs are a growing problem / Gini Sikes, interviewed by Lori Leibovich -- Girl gangs are not a growing problem / Kim Pate -- Crimes by white teenagers are not labeled gang behavior / Tim Wise -- The criminal justice system can reduce gang violence / David Kennedy -- The criminal justice system takes the wrong approach to gang violence / Joseph Marshall Jr. and Lonnie Wheeler -- Anti-loitering laws can reduce gang violence / Richard K. Willard -- Anti-loitering laws are ineffective and biased / David Cole -- Curfews can help reduce violence / Shay Bilchik -- Curfews do not reduce violence / Vincent Schiraldi -- Schools can help reduce the problem of gangs / Arturo Hernandez -- School-based programs are an ineffective response to gang violence / Elizabeth J. Swasey -- The community and law enforcement must work together to reduce gang violence / Roger Quintana -- Parents and youth need to become involved in anti-gang programs / Rick Landre, Mike Miller, and Dee Porter -- Gang truces have helped end violence / Beatriz Johnston Hernâandez.