Gini Sikes, interviewed by Lori Leibovich

The following viewpoint is an interview of Gini Sikes, author of 8 Ball Chicks: A Year in the Violent World of Girl Gangsters, by Lori Leibovich, a writer for Salon, an online magazine. Sikes contends that girls are becoming increasingly involved in gangs. She asserts that law enforcement tends to underestimate the number of girl gang members because they do not believe women pose a criminal threat. Sikes argues that girl gangsters commit many of the same crimes as their male counterparts but notes that differences exist between female and male gangs.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why do girls join gangs, in Sikes’ view?
2. According to Sikes, what is one major difference between girl gangsters and guy gangsters?
3. How can a girl leave a gang without becoming...