Child Requires Involvement in a Street Gang

Child Requires Involvement in a Street Gang

In the early 1900s, Progressive reformers recognized the strong social and psychological appeal of male gangs, a phenomenon they referred to as the "male gang instinct." This instinct, they believed, was an innate, evolutionary adaptation that expressed itself in a boy's feelings of sympathy and desire for the companionship of other boys.

J. Adam Puffers, another writer from that time, argued that boys have a "deep-seated unconscious need" to join a gang with other boys. He believed that belonging to a gang was a vital step in the healthy social development of a boy, for it is in the gang that a boy learns the art of camaraderie.

Albert Hines wrote in 1915 that gangs provided a way for a boy to engage in "muscular action and adventure" where he could gain the approval of his fellows. The energy that can lead to delinquency, according to Puffers, can be used to forge strong character, teach social skills, and build future leaders.

The challenge for parents, educators, and community leaders is to create the positive gangs that modern boys desire. Edwin Puller suggested encouraging boys to join a clean gang, while Luther Gulick advocated for structured group activities that emphasize moral education, teamwork, and civic responsibility.

Team sports provide opportunities for healthy boy gangs to form. Anthropologist Lionel Tiger documented how men across cultures naturally form cooperative groups to achieve common goals. Modern research, such as Harvard psychologist Joyce Benenson's, shows that boys tend toward socializing in groups while girls prefer dyadic relationships.

The goal isn't to eliminate the gang spirit but to channel it for the creation of positive gangs that modern boys critically need. The modern push to remake boys into less masculine beings and break up boy gangs has largely failed.

Writer Jack Donovan summed up this research on the male gang instinct when he asserted: "The way of men is the way of the gang." For Donovan, masculinity is fundamentally about being "a man among men" - the ability to succeed within male groups is how you figure out if you're a man.

This approach was part of a broader Progressive aim to improve social conditions by harnessing group dynamics for reform rather than allowing them to manifest in delinquency or violence. By providing supervised environments that reinforce positive values and community engagement, these activities tap into young men's innate need for belonging and collective identity but orient it toward socially approved ends.

While direct citations from the provided search results do not explicitly mention the "male gang instinct," the rationale aligns with the broader Progressive reform ethos highlighted in social and cultural reform movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This included efforts to address pauperism, delinquency, and other social ills through educational, moral, and institutional reforms.

In summary, Progressive reformers suggested harnessing the male gang instinct by offering structured, pro-social group affiliations that reinforce positive values and community engagement, redirecting this powerful social drive from antisocial gangs to socially constructive formations.

1. Fatherhood, a fundamental aspect of manhood, can be influenced by a boy's experience in healthy gangs, where he learns camaraderie, teamwork, and social skills.
2. A boy's development of character and virtue often stems from his participation in structured group activities, such as sports, which provide opportunities for fitness and adventure.
3. To build future leaders, it's crucial to create positive gangs, as these environments nurture the development of a boy's education, self-development, and lifestyle.
4. A clean gang offers boys a desirable alternative to antisocial groups, promoting a healthy character and reinforcing positive values.
5. The art of leadership and the confidence that comes with it can be developed within the context of positive gangs, fostering a sense of family and collective identity.
6. By managing the male gang instinct and channeling it toward constructive goals, educators, parents, and community leaders can contribute to the overall well-being and health of boys.
7. In line with the philosophy of Progressive reformers, structured pro-social group affiliations can provide gear for young men to engage in activities that instill positive virtues and promote education, ultimately benefiting relationships and the broader community.
8. The collective spirit of modern boys is more effectively guided when it's directed toward sports, education, and self-development rather than delinquency or violence, consistent with the aims of the Progressive reformers.

Read also: