Homophobic and racist gang violence and the rise of fascism: Group psychic secondary skin formation as a perverse binding

Abstract

This article aims to offer both theoretical and practical insights for clinical engagement with male adolescents exhibiting violent behaviour in the context of gang involvement. My objective is to equip clinicians with conceptual tools to address the myriad of complex issues associated with gang violence, particularly in relation to the contemporary rise of alt-right populist movements that propagate abhorrent homophobic, misogynistic, and racist narratives through the extensive reach of influential online social media platforms. This article analyses the psychodynamics of these adolescents, which render them vulnerable to participation in gang violence, as evidenced by recent occurrences in the UK involving racially motivated gangs, igniting fires at mosques, and targeting victims. Furthermore, I aim to elaborate on Esther Bick’s concept of psychic skin within a collective or gang context. In this examination, the article introduces the concept of a metaphorical ‘group secondary psychic skin formation’ as a dysfunctional and perverse psychic container, applicable to individuals ensnared by violent gangs, resulting in destructive actions and violent behaviours that often lead to extreme criminality.