ers gain status and dignity within the gang, individual gangs compete among each other, and members strive for their status and dignity in relations with the larger society. Within the gang, one's personal worth and manhood are evaluated through a "code of personal honor ... that sustains the traditions of violence" (Horowitz, 1983, p. 112). A member's response to a perceived personal insult determines whether he will be admired or disregarded by the gang. Acting within the honor code, the admirable response is necessarily violent and physical.
This same honor code applies to the gang as a whole, collective insults must be responded to properly in order to maintain the gang's reputation as superior and demanding of deference. Gang wars, incidents, and threats establish one gang's precedence and honor. Gang status, however, is capable of rapid change as a result of the continual competition and rivalry.
Violence among gang members also exists as a challenge
to the outside world--to the restrictions, discrimination, and
...