Girls' Talk

The present study analyzes taperecorded accounts of fights given by female members of New York street gangs to fellow members. While such data may not be veridical, they can reveal much about the way aggression is socially represented to peers which in turn is likely to be constrained by gang norms about the propriety of aggressive behavior. Frequency data indicate that fights are not restricted to specifically female or gang member opponents, that the majority are one-on-one encounters and are a result of domestic and romantic disputes and matters of individual integrity rather than gangrelated issues. A principal components analysis reveals three interpretable factors; group—personal, weapon—no weapon and victim—nonvictim. The five major reasons for the physical aggression are most clearly differentiated by a joint consideration of Factors I and III. The importance of these factors is discussed with reference to the social acceptability of limiting the extent and seriousness of the encounter.