Published Paper Details:

This paper explores the normalization of gang culture via social media, utilizing the theoretical frameworks of Howard Becker, Jeff Ferrell, and Jody Miller. Becker's labeling theory illustrates how social media allows gang members to reclaim and redefine their identities, turning societal stigmas into symbols of empowerment and defiance. Ferrell's cultural criminology emphasizes the aesthetic and performative aspects of gang culture, where social media platforms act as venues for the glorification of crime, violence, and hypermasculinity. Miller's gendered analysis highlights the distinct experiences of male and female gang members in online environments, noting that women encounter both greater visibility and increased risks of victimization. The research underscores that social media not only reflects gang culture but also plays an active role in shaping it, reinforcing connections in both digital and physical realms. Addressing this issue necessitates a transition from punitive approaches to rehabilitative strategies that challenge the appeal of gang life by fostering alternative narratives and opportunities for youth at risk.