Female Gang Members from East Los Angeles

Abstract

East Los Angeles cholas are the female counterparts of the cholos, the latter the street gang members that come from marginal situations and conditions. While there has been little research on female gang members overall, the role of females in the street life is significant. Sisters, girlfriends, and other relatives share the same backgrounds as male gang members but additionally carry on traditions of their own. Female gang cliques sometimes operate alongside the males, but mostly they are auxiliaries to the established gang. Domestic violence plaques the females but they also occasionally participate in street violence. Social life revolves dating, courting, partying, and sexual encounters and here females play a pivotal role. Dress, make-up, and other customs distinguish females from males in the street life that is the gang world.

Keywords

• Gangs membership, female gangs, street life of L.A.

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