The Street Casino – surviving street gangs!

• In Event: Explaining Violence: Theory, Gender, Ethnicity, and Gangs

Abstract

In the UK violence by violent urban street gangs has increased significantly. This new perspectives provides fresh insight into gang structure, organisation, behaviour and violence. Using research findings from an extensive ethnographic in South London Simon Harding gives a unique theoretical perspective on survival in violent street gangs. Applying Bourdieu’s social field analysis and habitus to gangs he argues they are a social arena of competition with actors struggling for distinction and survival. Young people play in the Street Casino; they strive to Players in The Game. Success is determined by accruing and retaining playing chips – street capital. In the Street Casino gang life is a constant flux, where Players jostle for position, reputation, status and distinction.

Author

• Simon Harding, Middlesex university, London UK