This paper reviews the book Life in the Gang, by Scott H. Decker. It describes the author’s argument, and the information provided to support it. It does so particularly by analysing the rhetorical elements of the book, including style, word choice, sentence structure, and so on, as well as the overall organization of the book. Finally, it also discusses whether Decker’s argument is convincing, how the book compares to other criminal justice books I have read, and why I would recommend this book to other students.
This paper reviews the book Life in the Gang, by Scott H. Decker. It describes the author’s argument, and the information provided to support it. It does so particularly by analysing the rhetorical elements of the book, including style, word choice, sentence structure, and so on, as well as the overall organization of the book. Finally, it also discusses whether Decker’s argument is convincing, how the book compares to other criminal justice books I have read, and why I would recommend this book to other students.
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This book, which is based on the results of three years of sociological field-work involving active gang members and their families, argues that in order to tackle the problem of gang crime and activity, it is necessary to understand gang culture from the inside perspective of active gang members and their families. The authors believe that “attempts to understand gangs and gang members are enhanced by this approach and that programs designed to prevent gang membership or enable gang members to remove themselves from the gang can learn from such studies” (Decker, 1996, p. ix). In support of this argument, the author utilises extensive interview material and tells the sociological story of gangs through the words of the gang members and their families themselves.
Particularly effective about the rhetorical strategies of this book is the way in which it blends the professional language of sociology with the real, human words of the gang members themselves. This juxtaposition of the slang style and etymology of street language brings an element of reality and authenticity to the academic and scientific language of the rest of the text, helping to show how the theory relates to real life.
In terms of organization, the book is clearly and logically laid out. Beginning with the basics of gang culture such as how and why members join, and what members do in their gangs, the book then progresses to examining the impact of gang membership on members’ families and the place of gangs in society as a whole. By maintaining an intimate perspective throughout, therefore, the organization of the book shows how individual gang members fit within a wider social context, rather than focusing on their difference and exclusion.
Through the effective use of perspective, rhetoric, and organization, Decker’s argument is highly convincing. His use of first-hand field-work and interview material reveals startling insights into what gang membership is really like for members, supporting his argument that intervention and prevention measures can only be effective if they fully understand these perspectives.
Compared to other criminal justice books I have read, this volume was both more interesting and more convincing, again due to the way in which field material was incorporated into the theoretical discussion. While many criminal justice books can seem detached and clinical, this volume clearly showed a concern for the humanity of the subjects, and the relevance of that concern to rigorous social policy and practice. It was also extremely illuminating to see exactly how sociological theory can feed directly into theory-based practice in criminal justice.
Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to other students, both in the field of criminal justice, and in the field of sociology. In the first place, the book is both comprehensive and easy to follow, providing a wealth of information about gang culture. In the second place, the book provides a unique perspective, describing gang culture not only in academic and theoretical terms, but also from the first-hand perspective of members themselves. Finally, I would recommend this book because it shows how theory relates to practice in a direct and meaningful way.
