Strax wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 9:15 am
Wasn't Carlo Gambino made in Sicily when he was like 18?
I'm not aware of any sources who can say exactly when Gambino was made or whether it was in the US or Sicily. He was no doubt made by the time of the Castellammarese War when Valachi knew him to be a "boss" (he was officially a soldier) though Valachi was told by Maranzano that Paolo Gambino was not yet made at the time so being a Gambino didn't guarantee membership right away.
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Many Sicilian-born guys from that generation and older came to the US around age 17, maybe because that age was when they were "officially" seen as grown men ready to enter the new world and work, etc., and it's likely some of them were already members or would soon join.
I believe the recruitment philosophy changed quite a bit over the years. In the modern age (definitely 1970s-today and arguably back to the 1950s) it seems recruits are expected to already embody the qualities of a made member and to have proven themselves over many years. In the early days having the right attitude and personal qualities was important but unlike today these young men were allowed to "grow into" their membership after being made.
Of course coming from an established clan and committing murder were more common back then. Many of these young guys may have assisted with murders at a young age which helped speed up the process. That was the case with Giovanni Riina who in the US would have no doubt been made based on who his father was alone but his uncle made it a point to have him participate in murders to qualify for membership.
People have often criticized Scarfo for inducting many young men but Scarfo himself was made young and as this thread shows it was once accepted to induct 16 and 17-year-olds in Philadelphia so the 20-somethings made by Scarfo were part of a longstanding tradition. Many of the young members Scarfo made were much like the older generations in that they came from mafia families / clans and were more than willing to commit murder without hesitation.