Join the gang! The attraction of membership in the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

• In Event: Examining the OMCGs

Abstract

Joining gangs has usually been associated with poor, working class youth, often coming from broken homes in economically deprived areas (see for instance discussions by Howell, 2012; Lauger, 2012; and, White, 2013). However, the motorcycle gangs exist outside of this, and for the most part have little or no relationship to ‘street gangs’. Membership is often drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds including semi-skilled, skilled and professional occupations, and maintain a membership with just as colorful a history. Just as intriguing is the motivation to rise from the not quite outlaw status, to the 1%er gangs, presented by Barker (2007) and others. This paper questions the motivation for membership in the outlaw gangs/clubs, and frames it within the wider context of gang theory.

Author

• Andy Bain, University of Mount Union