Las bandas juveniles en la sociedad contemporánea: marginalidad y resistencia

The article explores the world of so-called youth gangs from suburban neighbourhoods, children of marginalisation, and reflects upon this phenomenon in the contemporary context. These groups are primarily composed of children of the metropolitan sub-proletariat, primarily characterised by their immigrant status and defined by global as well as local elements. The dominant image of these groups constructed by society is discussed as being stigmatising, even more so during the recent financial crisis. At the same time, these groups provide a sense of belonging and an identity to which individual members can refer. Furthermore, despite their ambiguity and contradictions, gangs can also be seen as groups of resistance against the structural violence that they endure. The interpretative framework of the article is based on various ethnographic research studies that the author conducted over the last ten years on marginalized youth groups, bandas latinas [Latino gangs ] in Catalonia in particular.