Violence in street culture: Cross‐cultural comparison of youth groups and criminal gangs

Abstract

Violence is a widespread phenomenon in juvenile street culture. But the questions of whether this relationship is a deterministic one, and if not, which are the contributing factors, are largely unanswered. This article focuses on the role of public space, starting with a comparison of the meaning of deviant behavior and crime in street culture in Brazil, Russia, and Germany. Focusing on street culture norms and their relevance for youth groups in everyday life, the author shows that there are worldwide similarities, and these are most likely to be seen in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The article deals not only with the question of how people act in conflicts but also focuses on a social order in which the reputation of men is based mainly on questions of masculinity, honor, and power expressed through aggressive behavior. The results are based on more than one hundred semistructured qualitative interviews with street culture youth, prison inmates, adult family members, social workers, police, and researchers that were conducted in recent years in the three countries.The study also describes a typology of conflict behavior among male street culture youth that helps in understanding why even juveniles who were socialized in the milieu of the street culture can reject violence and do not have to turn to violence in all conflicts. The article examines the similarities in the reasons for violence and fear of violence, as well as the differences in frequency and intensity between violent countries (such as Brazil and the Russian Federation) and less violent countries (for example, Germany).

The Political Economy of an Emerging Global Power

“…It is still a given in major Brazilian cities that you should not display signs of wealth, leave valuables unattended or walk alone at night, including in major tourist areas. Exposure to such crimes often starts at a young age, with one 2008 study in Porto Alegre showing that over a quarter of eighth-grade youths had been mugged (Zdun, 2008). Another by-product of Brazil's high crime rate is police brutality and corruption, which is often fueled by frustration at the relentless crime levels, and a sense of vigilantism that is in turn supported by many segments of the public.…”

On the general relationship between victimization and offending: Examining cultural contingencies

“…Broadly speaking, Zdun (2008) noted that involvement in violent conflict among German youth was largely driven by personal choice, not by a need to project an image of toughness.…”

Meaning and purpose in the occupations of gang-involved young men in Cape Town

“…There are strong parallels between Zdun's 19 study conducted in the lower socio-economic areas of Brazil and Russia, and the present study. Zdun 19 explains that men find it vitally important to establish an image of masculinity, so derived by defending their honour and that of others, particularly their mothers. Furthermore, the way in which people deal with conflict is an important occurrence and custom of street culture, such that those who seek to be treated with respect should not show any weakness in their daily lives, and in defence of their reputations are compelled to react aggressively towards all challenges they face.…”