European Street Gangs and Troublesome Youth Groups (Violence Prevention and Policy): Findings from the Eurogang Research Program

For far too long research on street gangs has primarily meant research on American street gangs. Such a narrow, provincial focus hampers both our understanding of gang behavior and our efforts to eradicate it. Fortunately, the Decker and Weerman volume goes a long way to providing a more balanced picture. These contributions present state-of-the-art findings, based on multiple methods but using a common conceptual definition of the gang, about gang behavior in European society. Challenging some of our conceptions about gangs, while reinforcing others, this offers a much needed comparative perspective. — Terence P. Thornberry, Director, Research Program in Problem Behavior, University of Colorado

Until recently, the transnational study of juvenile gangs or, as they are termed in Europe, “troublesome youth groups” was a rather hit-or-miss affair. Now, editors Decker and Weerman have put together a unique book of collected essays that addresses a particular segment of the delinquency problem. This is a much-needed exposition in the somewhat esoteric and convoluted field of theoretical criminology. Highly recommended. ― CHOICE

This book is recommended reading for those interested in expanding their understanding of street gangs, but it is more than that. It is also valuable reading for those engaged, or contemplating engaging, in cross-national, comparative research. Although this volume focuses on gangs, many of the same definitional, methodological, and analytical issues arise in other cross-national research and this book can be a useful roadmap for such efforts. Finally, the book can serve as a valuable supplement to classroom books providing general treatment of gangs. — C. Ronald Huff, University of California, Irvine and The Ohio State University ― International Criminal Justice Review

“European Street Gangs and Troublesome Youth Groups” represents an excellent example of the cutting edge comparative research conducted by the Eurogang Research Program. Decker and Weerman have done a most commendable job of combining sophisticated quantitative and in-depth qualitative accounts of gangs in multiple European contexts, illustrating both the differences as well as the similarities with the American situation. This very readable and accessable volume is highly recommended for anybody – student, researcher or scholar – interested in the challenges and promises of comparative research in the area of criminology. — Ineke Haen Marshall, University of Nebraska at Omaha