Reasons Teenagers Join Gangs

Teenagers often struggle to define themselves and their place in the world. They may choose to associate with a certain group because its members share similar beliefs, attitudes or interests. However, teens also look to others to fulfill their basic needs for such things as companionship, understanding and emotional support. When these needs are not met sufficiently or at all by the teen's family, they become susceptible to joining gangs.

Features

A gang is a group of individuals who share common traits. They are often identified by the clothes or colors that they wear and have a name. Gangs are composed of leaders and followers. They typically have their own methods of communication such as language, symbols, signs or handshakes. Joining a gang requires potential members to go through an initiation of some sort. Initiations into gangs often include the endurance of physical harm or engaging in some form of illegal or dangerous behavior.

Effects

Teens join gangs for different reasons. Most commonly, teens become gang members to fill their need to belong. Oftentimes, such teens have dysfunctional families or are loners. Gangs are looked to for protection, loyalty and a sense of identity. Members consider themselves part of a family and view their gang as a source of pride. Gangs may fulfill the need for acceptance and recognition as well. However, members are required to do such things as steal from local stores, corrupt buildings with graffiti and engage in other crimes.

Significance

The existence of gangs is a threat to society. Gangs often involve crime, violence and drug use. Violence against other gangs over claims to property or threats to members are common. Drug use may co-exist with drug dealing and theft, as money is needed for drugs. As such, drug-related arrests are common. Gang members often raise their children in the gang's culture, and eventually these children become members themselves.

Prevention/Solution

Prevention efforts can deter teens from joining gangs. The focus of such efforts is on an individual's sense of identity and belonging. The allure of gangs tends to be most persuasive among outsiders with low self-esteem and poor impulse control. Integrating teens into groups based on common interests provides a positive environment for self-development to occur. Teens should be encouraged to go to community centers and after-school activities which allow them to associate with other teens. Efforts to strengthen family relationships are also helpful, since teens tend to look outside their families when needs for such things as acceptance, belonging, recognition, protection and loyalty are not met at home.

Warning

The physical harm suffered when initiated into a gang is only the beginning. Gang members are expected to defend each other and their "turf" or territory against other gangs. Therefore, they are vulnerable to threats, violence and sustaining injuries. Arrests for assault, theft and vandalism are typical, often resulting in incarceration or even death. If a gang member wants out of a gang, she will often be subjected to beatings from other members of the group to do so.

Resources

• Troubled Teen
• Safe Youth: National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
• Parents The Anti-Drug: Tips for Parents