1 The Street - PowerPoint Presentation

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The Street Casino: survival in the violent street gangSlide2

Outline

DefinitionsQuestion - why is violence increasing in Lambeth?Gaming TheoryKey findings

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‘a self-formed association of peers, united by mutual interests, with identifiable leadership and internal organisation, who act collectively or as individuals to achieve specific purposes, including the conduct of illegal activity and control of a particular territory, facility, or enterprise’, (Miller 1992)

Definition of Gang3Slide4

Why is violence increasing in SW9?

Lambeth background context:- Rising violent crime- Limited opportunities for young people – spatial and social exclusion

- Dwindling recreational alternatives

- Convulsive and dynamic communities –

24% churn 2008; 36% BME, - 12% African; 10% Caribbean

- Discredited communities

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Study Area

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Research area of SW9Slide6

Gaming Theory

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Varying chips = unequal levels of player’s capitalChips = previous winnings / determines future game playing

To advance in life you must accumulate more chipsMore chips = more powerEconomic capital = white chipsCultural capital = blue chipsSocial capital =

red

chips

Quality & weight of your chips = your position in the hierarchy

Shared belief in the value of the game

Shared acceptance that the game is worth playing

Subordinates (or new arrivals) yet to master game = fewer chips – thus greater struggle to achieve distinction.

Gaming Theory,

Pierre Bourdieu

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Distinction is the ultimate prize!

Not just who wins – but what type of player dominates and what type of game will be played in the future.Rules = assumptions which can be overturned.

‘the struggle is both over and within the rules’

A

vertical social differentiation of winners and

losers with actors jostling

for position

The Game

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How capital works in a social domain

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Your

position depends upon quality and weight of your chips.

As

capital is unevenly distributed –

so

are hierarchical power relations.

Capital (Chips) can be generated; earned; swapped; won, traded.

Individuals employ strategies of capital accumulation to enhance their position within the field.

Symbolic capital; social capital, economic capitalSlide10

A dangerous arena of social conflict and

competition which has recently become more violent‘An ensemble of relationships between individuals antagonistically oriented towards the same prizes or values’ May have different sub-sets/ domains, each

interconnected

and autonomous

.

Possible and credible actions in gang are coordinated by

internalised

early socialisation – history; habit; tradition

The

gang provides goals for the actors within it

Operates as a

‘

structured arena of conflict’

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The Street Gang Slide11

Gang Logic

Own internal gang logic Pertinent only to that gang. Does not apply outside the gang.

Events outside the gang operate outside the

logic

A tacit agreement that The Game has value and that the

struggle is worth pursing in the first place

All accept the rules of ‘The Game’

Within the gang the rules, logic and principles are

everything

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Power Dynamics within the gang

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Internal Power

Dynamics within the gangGang = internal struggle for power, dominance, and scare resources - money, respect, status

Interactions are based on hierarchical position

– e.g.

Downton

Abbey

To advance actors employ ‘investment strategies’

Incumbents

deploy -

Conservation strategies

New

entrants deploy

- Succession strategies

– seek

dominant

positions

Challengers

-

Subversion strategies

– pursued by those

with

little

to gain from dominant groups

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And within the social domain of the gang...

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Inside the Gang

Street gang is most effective/productive way to obtain economic capitalConflict, competition, jostling for positionThe gang Hierarchy = Elementary tier – (Youngers 13 – 16)

Mature tier ( Olders 16-21)

Advanced tier (Elders 21 plus

)

Elders guard rules of game

+

control economic capital

Strategists work to build status and

Rep and defend their position in

hierarchy

Youngers

must demonstrate Trust and Commitment.

So they

build social

capital

(networks) and cultural capital (knowledge of the street)

Symbolic or cultural capital may be ‘inverted’ ( knowing how to handle a

knife

)

Knowing Code of the Street

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How do Players recognise the value of others in the gang domain?

- Street Capital

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Street Capital

How do actors recognise and acknowledge other actors in the same domain or their rank?How do they become competent actors ?How is this recognised

?

Street Capital

= aggregate of cultural capital (street knowledge)

-

Street

socialisation

-

Local

history

-

Family

connections

-

Networks

-

Reputation

-

Status

-

Symbolic

capital

Not street

Cred

– but Road Ranking

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Street Capital

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Street Capital

Street capital is held by each individual and also by each gang/groupFluctuates over timeTradable commodityCan allocate it to othersLevels are openly discussedIt is easily recognised by those ‘on Road’ – this ability is crucial

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Strategising & The Gang Repertoire

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To build market share they must establish

themselves as a ‘Playa’Done by acquiring a RepReps enhanced via brand name or signatureEstablished Rep permits entry to ‘the Game’Youngers then begin quest to raise street capitalTo do this they employ tried and tested strategies –

The

Gang Repertoire

- series of possible strategies for use individually or

collectively

Strategising & The Gang Repertoire

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Strategising & The Gang Repertoire

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Varying The Gang Repertoire

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Each strategic action can be varied. This depends upon experience as a ‘Playa’.

e.g. Bullying and intimidation...Slide24

The ‘Game’ and how to play it

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Street capital must be:-- Manufactured

- Maximised- Maintained- Monitored‘The Game’ and how to play it

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Getting

started in the Game(Manufacturing

Street

Capital)

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Get respect – connected; hard man; Brand name;

Signature style; Wild; Loyal; cool; unpredictable; not back downViolation (disrespect) = depreciation in street capital Disrespect Older/ EldersBuild your Brand!Adopt a Pre-fix

Build your

Rep!

Expressive crime - Violence; graffiti; criminal damage

Fast-tracking a Rep

Getting started in the Game

(Manufacturing Street Capital)

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Keeping your chips

– Maintaining your street capital29

Being

Tested

Transition

from Expressive to Instrumental Repertoire

Robbery

/ DrugsSlide30

Maximising chips/ street capital

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Two key strategies used:-

1)

Promotions and marketing

of individual or gang brand, e.g. video

2)

Group violence and gang incursions

,

Facilitates group bonding

Permits members to test strategies

Platform to demonstrate trust and loyalty to peers

Sudden rule change – e.g. MacDonald's shootingSlide31

Territoriality/ Postcode Beefs

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IncursionsNot drugs / not territorial gainsTerritoriality – opportunities for accelerated

reputational (street capital) deflation Personal relationshipsFacebook taunts – opportunities to increase street capital

Fast changing alliances

Easy to be

wrong-footed – Slippin’

Must

challenge strangers

Territoriality/ Postcode Beefs

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The Landscape of Risk

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Normalisation of violence Family pressure to get involvedHigh

levels of street capital brings invitations to join gangOthers influenced through: - school - grooming

- ‘forced’ affiliation

- Risk mitigation – protection

- Risk mitigation – peer pressure

Individualism

The Landscape of Risk

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Survival in the Landscape of Risk

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Must constantly monitor levels of street capital

If falling – will be targetedHyper-vigilance!Slippin’Self restrictionsGang Protection Multiple allegiance/ temporary allegianceVisualness/ physicalityInability to Code-switch

Survival in the Landscape of Risk

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Information = Survival

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Centrality

of information to gang...

Three 3

key strategies are involved:

Appraisal & monitoring

Marketing

/ giving

out

information

Trading &

exchange

Linkage to The Network

Disinformation

Dry-snitching

Social Networking SitesSlide38

The role of Girls and Women

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The Importance of Social Skill

Men generate Street Capital via violenceGYW must survive social domain of gang Gender-bias means girls in a double-bind – in competition

with each other

Choices are restricted by men

GYW create new positions in hierarchy

Strategically position themselves to maximise their

advantage

Generate street capital via social skill not violence

Gives a more equal chance

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Social Skills Spectrum

Violence

Social Skill

Fighting Hiding Fixing/Mixing Network Off Radar Banking

Access to Information

Group Girl/ Ho

Good Girl

Risk of victimisation

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Female Roles / strategic actions

HidingFixing and MixingStolen goodsActivity monitoringStaying off radarLaundering and BankingInfluencing sanctions

Public relations

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Information Managers

Information = survivalControlling access to the NetworkTrading & ExchangingGathering informationCreating and breaking reputationsSocial networking sitesOperate

at core and periphery

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High Risk Activity

Depends upon level of social skillEmploy strategies of risk managementDemonstrate knowledge of the gang domain – mind one’s place/ no grassingIn competition with other girls

If no social skill = increased vulnerability to

sexual

victimisation

Choices mostly determined by men

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Maintaining Social Order

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Incumbents

oversee gang rules

Gang

Tiers

Must

transition between tiers

Some

Functional Differentiation

Process

of Auditioning and testing

If not maintained

– Gang FracturingSlide45

The Sanctions Repertoire

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Affirmative:

– favours and gifting

Negative:-

Retribution

Religion

Rumour

Distortion

Bullying and intimidation

Honey Traps

Threats to family

Abductions

FirearmsSlide46

The Street Casino

A world of winners and losers, where...- everyone must play...

- rules change and incumbents struggle to maintain their privilege...

- players are encouraged to continue playing despite meagre returns...

- players believe they can stop their risky behaviour whilst still engaging in it...(

‘gamblers conceit’)

-

players

believe they must continue to play because their bad luck must end sometime

(‘gambler’s fallacy’)

- Mostly they play ‘cos it is the only game town...

...for many, it’s the only game they know.

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How do we explain the increase in violence and ferocity of violence in

gang–affected areas?Regenerative, dynamic

and

evolving

Evolution of gang –

hierarchies

Gang

is constantly

changing

– but

The

Game

stays the same.

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Boundaries are Relational

Relational not physicalBoundaries not visible – but are dynamic and in

constant

flux

A

widening acceptance of the logic of the gang

The boundary is place where Wannabees flirt with

the

gang

It is space where gang members can enhance their

virtual

reputations

Recently increased external pressures with other

boundaries

, e.g. court appearances leading to

further

intimidation

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Now more players in the Game

= increased social competitionNow more, and younger players in the Game

– thus

extending

the gang domain

The social arena is more crowded – more

competition

More ways to advance

More

ways of being victimised

More

ways to diminish a rival’s street capital

Creating a greater need to stand out from the

crowd

as distinction becomes more difficult

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New Arrivals/ new

Players ‘Network poor’Most do not yet know the rules of the Game –

increased

risk of gang affiliation

Thus at high risk

May bring increased violence

Act as challengers?

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The Compulsion to Play

= an imperative to build street capital YP feel they have no choice but to enter the street

casino

– once in they are compelled to play.

It then

becomes

a compulsion

Some seek rapid advancement

Some develop a fatalistic attitude with reckless

behaviour

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Must be seen to Play

– and to be a ‘Playa’ Maximising street capital via group violence and

group

incursions

Builds trust – trust is key

Increases chances of building street

capital

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They now play for longer in an extended

gang domainNo other plausible alternatives for many YPNot maturing out – so stay longer in the gangBecomes adhesiveDesistence becomes more difficult

YP growing deeper into crime rather than

growing

out

of it

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Players are increasingly embedded

Players increasingly embedded within the gangGang increasingly embedded within the neighbourhoodGang increasingly embedded within prison and YOI

The Street Casino offers continued membership if

you

wish

Compounded by difficulties of leaving the gang

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Players are Getting stuck

= increased adhesion to the gang

The street casino is

dangerous

,

highly seductive

and

adhesive

No longer

pass through – but get stuck

Tiered hierarchy offers differs opportunities at different

levels

of playing the Game

YP are socialised and conditioned to enter this world

from

a young ageBecomes the only world they know and can survive in

Part-time membership is possible

All networks can be retained

Progression means more money, greater social mobility and opportunities to specialise, e.g. drugs

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New Rules now apply

Internal pressures have altered the social norms of the gang domainAttacking family members no longer uncommon

Old

Heads

and Elders

don’t

carry

same

level of

respect

as before

Increasingly aspirant young leaders want

O

lders

/

E

lders to move aside

Abduction now commonSudden rule changes can catch people out

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Impact of social media

Rapid transmission of informationIncreased proximity and connectivity to eventsEvents unfold in ‘real-time’Creates opportunities for generating reputation

Virtual information takes on a new significance

Allows hidden players and challengers to shine and

advance

Allows opportunities

for online

brand

enhancement

and creating personal mythology

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Violence is now Normalised

Many YP grow with DVGroup rape, abduction, sexual exploitation is normalGuns now used for robbery but also reputation and revengeAdults fail YP – we do not understand this world - do

not

help, resolve, show interest

Fatalism and stress: PTSD

Developing ‘

soldier mentality’ – an

‘

alternative

cognitive

landscape’

War zone

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The S

treet Casino Life in the violent street gang can be compared to a casino. The Street Casino represents the domain of the gang in its totality. It represents a conception of their life but also it represents the uncertainty of all players in The Game.

It is instantly recognisable as begetting both winners and losers. The Street Casino never closes. It is persuasive and permissive. It is seductive, addictive and adhesive. It operates its own centripetal force, pulling in new players all the time - spitting out those who have lost everything. It permits advancement to higher levels at new tiers - but few reach the top. It offers endless opportunities for winning - that seldom become reality! It promises a new future, Glamour, Girls, Glitz – in reality if exerts endless pressure to play with few winnings.

It imposes strict sanctions on those who infringe the rules. It thrives on heightened emotional content with constant diversions to keep playing. The House always wins! Players come and go but The Game stays the same. New players are seduced, coerced and expected to play in the street casino –it constitutes their social fate. New rules catch out those who don’t stay vigilant whilst benefitting those who know how The Game works.

It is a dangerous place of secret players, group players, individual players, spies, informers, double-dealers, thieves, cheats, snakes, outcasts, ‘ho’s, pimps, sharks, bystanders, Wannabees,

wifey’s

, incumbents and challengers.

They play because they must

They want to win and win big

They all dream of cashing in and leaving the street casino.

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