One of the Guys

One of the Guys examines the causes, nature, and meaning of female gang involvement. Miller situates the study of female gang membership in the context of current directions in feminist scholarship and current research on both gangs and female criminal offenders. Unique in its approach, this book is a comparative study that examines both gang members and nongang members to provide an accurate picture of the nature of gang life. The author draws on interview from two contrasting cities, St. Louis, Missouri and Columbus, Ohio. While both cities have relatively new gang histories, their socio-economic conditions are notably different. The book opens with a foreword written by Malcom W. Klein, a leading authority on youth gangs. Miller examines how and why girls join gangs; the nature of girls' involvement in gangs; how gang involvement shapes girls' participation in delinquency and their risk of victimization; and the ways in which gender affects their gang experience. Miller concludes by drawing out implications for gender and crime and the study of female lawbreaking. Written in a lively and personal sytle, 'One of the Guys: Girls, Gangs, and Gender' includes rich, extensive interviews offering fascinating excerpts from the girls themseleves. Miller examines these dialogues in order to exploe gender identities within gangs. 'One of the Guys: Girls, Gangs, and Gender' is an ideal text for courses which focus on juvenile delinquency, women and crime, gang activity, and female lawbreaking.