Can gangs be controlled without changing the economic opportunity structure of society? Are there any truly meaningful alternatives to gangs today for lower-class youths? Can you think of other rituals in society that reflect an affinity or longing for more tribal times? For example: if one has ever pledged a fraternity or sorority, gone to a wedding or attended a football game

These are some interesting questions. The economic structure of society does seemingly keep the poor poor and the rich rich, doesn't it? I think that gangs and organized crime do search for ways to beat that system, i.e. selling drugs for money and using violence for power. I do think that the economic structure has a lot to do with it, and until we find ways to help those in poverty to make their way out and survive, it may be a losing battle. In addition to that, I think there is a long history of keeping minorities down, and this has to stop as well. When you look into gang activity, it is often minorities who are affiliated with these gangs, and sadly I think their anger and need for a place to belong is directly related to societal structures.

In terms of alternatives, I think there are schools and churches that try to work with these youth to help them see other ways of living. I think there are many cases where the right people lead youth into better places. In fact, a good friend of mine works as an advisor in a middle school with 13 operating gangs. She deals, on a daily basis, with this issue and works with youth to see there are other ways of living. The problem is that with no support at home, these young people do not see another way and often seek out their peers within the gangs to be their "family."

You bring up some good examples of other rituals, and I think you could look into religious cults too. These groups, even though they are masked as places of worship and praise, are often breeding grounds for violence and abuse. They offer wayward people a "family" but offer destruction as well, like gangs.