Who Joins Gangs and Why

5.e

Who Joins Gangs

• Recruits generally range in age from 12 to 24 years. Can be as young as 8 or 9 years old. 
• Most members are boys, but 10 percent of all gang members are girls.
• All ethnic groups and income levels are represented, and gangs are found in all parts of the country.
• Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of gang involvement.
  

Why Kids Join Gangs

• Fun and excitement – Gang members, recruiters, and the news media glamorize the gang lifestyle.  Youth who lack self-esteem do not have a sense of belonging, or who also lack interests and direction could be drawn to gangs.
• Acceptance
• Love
• Power – Control
• Respect 
• Recognition/attention
• Structure
• Identity and sense of belonging – Gangs provide a sense of identity for their members. This sense of identity may be a sense of belonging or a source of recognition that they are not getting at home or elsewhere. Youth who do not have strong ties to their families, communities, schools, or churches may turn to gangs as a “substitute” family. Gangs satisfy the need for recognition and power.
• Peer pressure/Forced in – If their friends are gang members, youth may be pressured to join a gang.
• Financial gain/drugs – Being in a gang is often seen as a way to obtain money and/or possessions.
• Protection – In neighborhoods and areas where gangs are present, youth sometimes feel, or are told, that belonging to a gang will provide protection from other gangs.
• A family tradition – We are now seeing some second and third generation gang members.
• Born into a Gang
• Forced in
• A failure to understand what being in a gang means – Youth see only the fun, excitement, and power that gang members claim to have. They very often do not fully understand the danger, risks, and legal problems associated with being in a gang.