"Chesney-Lind and Hagedorn provide us with a much needed view into
the lives of girls in gangs. All too often either ignored,
seen as appendages of boys and their gangs, and demonized by the
media, girl gangs are one of the most under-studied, misunderstood,
and "unheard" populations. This book provides us
with a richness of description and an abundance of varied analyses
about the lives of girls and young women from marginalized communities--too
often poor communities of color. It does so through along
needed treatment that is sensitive to the life experiences and broader
social, economic, racial, and political contexts within which girls
in gangs operate--for better and for worse. For anyone concerned
about young people in our society--both young women and young men--this
book is a 'must.'"
—Natalie Sokoloff, John Jay College of
Criminal Justice, CUNY
"For decades, gang researchers have ignored and trivialized female
gangs, but for the girls who join them, the experience is anything
but trivial. This book goes a long way towards rectifying
that neglect. By assembling the wide range of perceptions and analyses
of female gangs, the editors make glaringly obvious the huge gaps
in our knowledge. This book should provide a major stimulus
for general readers as well as researchers to take another, and
better-informed look at this serious social problem."
—Joan Moore
Former Pres., Society for the Study
of Social Problems
Author, Homeboys: Gangs, Drugs and
Prison in the Barrios of Los Angeles
"A long overdue collection of scholarship on female gangs and female
gang members, this volume challenges many of the myths and stereotypes
that have characterized much of the literature and allows the reader
to meet the subjects "up close and personal." Must
reading for everyone seeking to have an informed and balanced perspective
on the "other" gangs in America and what can be done to
help these young women meet their needs."
—C. Ronald Huff
Dean, School of Social Ecology
University of California—Irvine
Table of Contents and dust jacket
Gang research website: http://www.gangresearch.net
