Nonmaterial Culture

Race and Gang Membership

Racism and the attitudes of prejudice have devalued and belittled these lower class individuals, and therefore this segregation and isolation are central to understanding the emergence and perpetuation of gangs. Race and class are both heavily implicated in the marginalization of each of these populations and both represent major forms of nonmaterial culture within our society. Gang membership usually has its roots in the longing for acceptance and sense of belonging. Gangs usually consist of distinct structures and traditions, which these people would otherwise never receive. This structure they are able to obtain provides them with a sense of security, which offers them that feeling of acceptance that they don’t receive from their home life or from society. Typically, these individuals grow up in such rough communities where their families aggressively socialize them. The parents feel as though they need to have some sort of control in their lives, due to the fact that they constantly face discrimination, therefore taking it out on their kids. Becoming a member of a gang provides them that sense of security, belonging, and a home, so to speak, which they would never be able to experience otherwise. 

                                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7SMmkC5phA

This video displays how race and lower social class can cause an individual to turn to gang membership. The nonmaterial culture of our society has a direct impact in the formation of gangs.