Gang definition - What it is, Meaning and Concept

A gang is a group of people who maintain a narrow and intense link .It can be a set of friends whose relationship is based on mutual affection, but also from a band with members who are related to perform group criminal activities.

The gangs of friends have no other objective more than sharing pleasant moments.That is why its members meet to go to bars, organize dinners or go out for a party.For example: “Today the gang is coming home and we will be until the early morning playing the PlayStation” , "My son spends all his afternoons with the gang of friends" , "It is always good to have a gang of friends to rely on difficult times" .

Another example of this positive use of the term is in the cartoon program known as "Don Jack and his gang" (or “To p cat ” in its original language). Don Gato is the leader of a street cat gang that, despite being persecuted by the Officer Matute , they don't cause big problems and have good feelings.

All this without forgetting that one of the best-known television series in history is the one entitled “The Gang.” In 1922, this American production produced by Hal Roach began and that was under the umbrella of the Goldwyn Mayer Metro.

It told the daily adventures of a group of children of lower class and the unique thing about it is that, for the first time, it was committed to show the friendship of a gang formed equally by small of both genders and also of different races.

This television production reached great popularity in many countries, and among them in Spain where it was titled "The gang of seven" and where it became the fundamental part of one of the most successful programs of the small screen: " The crystal ball."

In Latin America , especially in recent years, the notion of the gang has acquired a negative connotation .The word is often used to name the bands and urban tribes that maintain violent behaviors and usually dominate certain territories where they sow terror.

In this sense we could highlight that these are urban groups or tribes that are satisfied with the clear objective of carrying out criminal and specifically violent acts against other people.This would be the case, for example, of those known as Latin Kings.Under this name there are bands of Latin American origin that are made up of young people who are engaged in activities such as drug trafficking or theft.

In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of nationalist skinheads, also called shaved heads.It is a gang or group of neo-Nazi ideology that is known for carrying out violent actions against Jews, homeless, prostitutes , immigrants or homosexuals.

Gang members are usually teenagers or young people with behavior problems, poor family relationships and addictions.They usually join these groups for recognition.and sense of belonging.Gangs can engage in drug trafficking or theft, among other illegal activities.