Chapter 9, "Peers and Gangs in Context," explores how peers and gangs influence delinquency. Through different ideas and points of view, the chapter studies why peers are involved in delinquency, the influence of friendships, the adverse effects of being misunderstood, and finally, the emerging role of technology and peer interaction and delinquency. Furthermore, this study analyses what helps to create youth gangs, gang activities, how different ethnic and racial groups participate in gangs, and the factors on which gang formation and violence are based. I believe a lot of young people are likely to be involved in delinquent behavior when they become members of a gang because most gang members promote violence and criminal activities in society. Critical Points When I …show more content…
In contrast, the opportunity theory suggests that peers create opportunities and create places where engaging in delinquency becomes possible (Bates, 2021). Comprehension of these hypotheses is essentially significant, for they provide the means through which peer influence operates in the highly engaging interplay of delinquency. The dynamics of friendship and the complex status of gender among delinquent teens is another factor to be noted as well. The chapter outlines the consequences of peer rejection, the need to show masculinity to boys, and the motive. This can lead to delinquency. As this chapter further elaborates, peer interaction has also taken a digital turn. Technical progress has done its job in changing the way adolescents text and socialize by utilizing social media. Towards the gang issue, the book glimpses into their membership, operations, and how they develop. The most crucial factor in designing the targeted interventions is how to detect and analyze the different types of gangs, from social gangs to more serious delinquent