ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the research on gangs within the US, focusing primarily on the potential growth of gangs in rural communities. It focuses on the characteristics of gangs and the definitions applied to this subculture. The chapter discusses the implications of socioeconomic and racial inequality along with goal and status frustration, and their direct link to deviant behavior. It examines the research on motivating factors for gangs to move into rural communities. The chapter reviews the literature on gangs, the distinctive characteristics of rural gangs, and the impact of the roles of social inequality and criminal opportunity. While the research indicates that gang activity has been part of American culture since the 1800s, it has not been until the 1960s that gangs have drawn the attention of researchers. The literature illustrates that some gang members are entering rural communities. Fiscal opportunity must be available for criminalistic gangs and gang members to enter a rural, or nonmetropolitan, environment.
