I believe you will find that the movie "American Outlaws" was quite a bit off the mark. The James and Youngers served together in the war riding with both William Quantrill and Bill Anderson. They evidently did not want to relinquish the way of life they had grown use to during the war. It was easier to rob from others that to work for a living. This seems to be the prime motivation for most who live on the wrong side of the law. THe same still holds true today. The James and Youngers were use to taking what they wanted and never bothered to learn a new way.