GANGS AND VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS: A PROFILE OF RISK FACTORS IN JUVENILE’S GANG INVOLVEMENT

Shu-Lung Yang

Ching-Jun Cheng

Abstract

    In recent year, a new challenge for the government and scholars in dealing with juvenile delinquency and violence in schools are gangs intrude extensively school campus (in particular junior and senior high schools). Media’s reports highlight the seriousness of the issue. In fact, a recent poll showed that citizens viewed gangs related violence in schools as the biggest problem confronting the school system in Taiwan. Despite these, little is known about the factors that pushed these groups of juvenile into gang’s circles. Such development requires further research so as to capture the underlying causes and searching for appropriate preventive measures.

In response, the study collects data from juvenile offenders who have been active in participating gang’s activities in one juvenile prison and three training schools in Taiwan during the period of January to March, 1998. Survey research has launched to the settings, in which 88 respondents complete the self-reported questionnaire designed by the author. The survey instrument contained a set of empirically verified crime risk items that measured juvenile gang member’s demographic backgrounds, family and school bonding, psychological health, violent media exposures, early delinquents involvement and gangs related activities. Motivations and situational factors for the respondents to commit crime are also profiled. 

The study contributes to the understanding and identifying important risk factors for juvenile’s gangs involvement. It is believed that adequate measures can therefore be proposed so as to eliminate violence in schools.  Besides, the assumptions and findings from western world can also be tested. The finally analysis expected to be completed on September 1, 2000. The final results and the implications for prevention will be discussed.

幫派少年成長歷程與副文化之調查研究

楊士隆、程敬閏

摘  要

近來來媒體大幅報導幫派組織染指校園，吸收學生入會，引起警政、司法與教育部門之高度關切。由於少年參與幫派行為亟可能衍生諸多偏差與犯罪行為，為校園安全與整體社會治安帶來鉅大衝擊，因此亟待加強研究因應。

 

為瞭解參與幫派少年之成長歷程與副文化，本研究對國內少年矯正機構，現正收容或接受矯正教育且曾參與幫派之少年進行調查研究,期能深入探索，以供防治之參考。本研究於民國八十九年九至十月間從新竹誠正中學、高雄明陽中學及桃園、彰化少年輔育院及台北少年觀護所，隨機抽取各類犯罪少年740名，並從中淬取參與幫派活動之少年，合計264名，進行調查。研究發現幫派少年大多來自結構不健全之家庭，學校成績低落，七成六曾為中輟生，且經常入出不良場所。此外，近七成幫派少年有刺青，對物欲之追求程度高，且對幫派之文化及生活，有較高之憧憬，其偏差行為亦為多樣。在參與幫派之活動型態上，七成一經常參與幫派間的打鬥及透過幫派解決個人糾紛，近半數則進行圍勢工作，超過三成曾為幫派販售藥(毒)品，恐嚇取財、暴力討債等。有關本研究之其他重要發現及其意涵，於文中另有詳述及討論。