Tasks: Gangs - Safety in Numbers?

Vocabulary

Try the interactive task: Vocabulary - Gangs 

Research

Search the Internet
Read the article National Youth Gang Survey and answer the questions:

1. How many gangs are there?
2. How many gang members are there?
3. How has gang activity changed from 1996 – 2010?
4. What type of area had most gang killings?
5. What change had there been in the number of gang-related murders in large cities from 2009 - 2010?
6. What percent of homicides in the cities of Chicago and LA were gang-related?
7. What activities may  increase due to the external influence from gangs in Central America? 
8. Has there been much evidence of collaboration between US and foreign-based gangs?
9. Where do these statistics come from?

Discussion

Watch the video clip:Attacked by gang. Sit together in groups of four and discuss the following statements.

1. The dynamics of gang culture has equal effect on people regardless of gender.
2. What have been the consequences of this attack in this girl’s life?
3. Is speaking out and coming forward with personal stories like this girl does, an effective measure in fighting gang violence?

Writing 

Gang signs, dress code and rap lyrics are all examples of cultural traits taken from gang culture by popular culture.
Write a 200-word letter to the editor, where you discuss why some Norwegian youth are inspired by American gang culture. Account to other readers the meaning of some words in our vocabulary that connotates gang culture.

Give your text the title Blending into Popular Culture.