Masculinity

During the class discussion, I had a reoccuring flashback from the movie Jarhead. He was told that he has to earn a brand from the guys. It seems that in Gangs today, the guy that has earned the privelage to recieve a brandor initiation is already respected for one reason or another, and once they survive the grueling and brutal initiaton, they are respected for being manly. Gang initiations (for men) are a test of how much one can endure. If you are able to survive, then you are in, and showered with protetion and respect from fellow gang members.
The Women gangs, for the most part, are not as much of a physical test. They are required to do certain tasks that risk major consequences with the law. (This is also prevalent in male gangs as well.) Women tasks also include things like being slept in, which was mentioned in class on tuesday. These kinds of tasks are very dangerous as well for health and safety issues.
Anyway you look at it, Gangs, and the initiation prcess that follows behind, are very dangerous and even sometimes life threatening. The pain that a member must endure is unfathomable, and the benefits do not seem to measure up!