Gangs in Europe: Assessments at the Millennium

Abstract

In reviewing the chapters on the European gang situation in Europe and looking at more information about the actual situation of street gangs, gang-like youth groups, and youth groups’ one finds some interesting developments. First, one cannot deny any longer that European cities have street gangs or gang-like youth groups. In accordance with the Maxson and Klein typology (Klein, 1995, 1996, and Chapter 1 of this volume), they are mainly specialty gangs and compressed gangs and not the older, traditional American gangs. These street gangs have to be differentiated from motorcycle gangs, prison gangs, hooligans, right-wing groups and neonazi gangs. Second, most Europeans seem to acknowledge the existence of youth groups, but do not consider them to be street gangs. This may merely be a matter of definition and takes attention away from the fact that we do indeed have street gangs in Europe. These groups appear to take over responsibilities and educational tasks the parents and families were for various reasons not able to provide any longer. Third, the European countries seem to be reducing official resources and programs for juveniles and adolescents. This will eventually lead and force youngsters to form and join gangs. Fourth, a society which shifts more and more to a “winner-loser culture” makes it very hard for young people today to get a good education or jobs, they are often excluded from fulltime, career oriented work, leading to this winner-loser culture (James 1995).