„Wir sind doch keine Schwacheier“ – Mädchen in gewaltbereiten Jugendgruppen

Abstract

The article presents qualitative research findings about youth gangs with female and male members and girl gangs orientated toward violent behavior. It focuses on their attitudes toward violence and at violent acting, shows why their gang is important for them and what kind of group ties there are, and discusses the role of the girls in the gangs. The conclusion calls for gender-differentiated violence prevention. Adolescent girls in the investigated gangs often use violence to resolve conflicts with persons from outside the group and to fight off attacks. Their aggressive attitude and violent behavior are motivated by a longing for acceptance, assertion, and power. Gender differences are found in the relationship to adversaries, in the reasons for and forms of violence, and in criminal proceedings. In contrast to most sociological findings about gangs, in the investigated gangs girls attain a high status, and influence violence-related attitudes and behavior of their female peers in the gang. Gaining social status through violence encourages other girls to do the same. A tendency to use violence is not labeled as unfeminine. Instead, it is part of a concept of femininity that resists traditional stereotypes of female behavior.