Choose One of the Types of Recruitment Which Gangs Use

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The Answer is The Fraternity Type of Recruitment-As a fraternity might do, the gang using this will present itself as an organization that is the "in" thing to belong to, that is hip or cool. It advertises through word of mouth. Usually there is a party, and potential members are invited, at which time gang members and potential members size each other up. The potential member is evaluated according to his potential as a good fighter, his courage, and his commitment to assist other gang members. The most important factor, however, is the potential gang member's ability as a fighter-more specifically, whether he will come through when the gang is threatened or whether he will turn tail and run off. If he is already known as a good fighter, then he will be admitted without further testing. However, if his reputation is not known, then his ability will be put to a test by having a member purposely pick a fight with him to see how he reacts. This becomes an initiation ritual (Jankowski, 1990:49-50). Some gangs also look for other skills, such as military skills (e.g., the ability to build incendiary bombs).
The Obligation Type of Recruitment-As implied by the term, the gang using this type of recruiting tries to convince the potential member that it is his duty to join. This is especially common in areas where gangs have existed for many generations and therefore where one must "uphold the tradition of the neighborhood." One potential member was told that he had an obligation to "give something back" to the community (ibid.:52). One member told a potential recruit that "I want you to know that your barrio needs you just like they needed us and we delivered" (ibid.). In some cases, if youths join a gang, some members of the community may help them find a job later. They are also told that women in the community look up to gang members; thus the recruit is promised access to many women. The prospective member is also told that if he fails to join, he will lose the respect of others in the community and even perhaps that of his own family (especially true for Chicanos and Irish).
The Coercive Type of Recruitment-This method of recruitment is used most often when gangs need more members quickly (not unlike a nation instituting a draft during a time of war). Often this is because a gang wants to expand some illegal operation into a new territory or wants to take over control of a new neighborhood not already under control of a gang. Other times it may be because the gang faces possible takeover from a rival gang.

Choose One of the Types of Recruitment Which Gangs Use

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