Why Do Teens Join Gangs?

Violence is part of gang life.

Teenagers join gangs. This fact causes fear and heartbreak and costs society millions of dollars to maintain a watch on gang activities. To many people, the answer to the question of why teens join gangs is simple: Teens join gangs because they are raised in homes that fail to meet their emotional needs. Yet, if that were completely true, how can we explain the fact that teens coming from the same family do not follow the same patterns. One may join a gang and one may not.

Perhaps the only way to get the most comprehensive and accurate answer is to examine those reasons that have been identified as contributors to teen gang affiliations.

History

If you were to do an exhaustive study of gang activity, you could no doubt follow it to Europe and Asia. However, it is easy to get a perspective from United States history. Mass immigration during the early 20th century brought many people together in poverty and isolation in American cities. Rather than being "bad parents," family heads were forced to work long hours to survive, leaving teens to their own devices. Schools were not designed for them, and they were often unable to find work. The only way they could achieve what they wanted and needed was through gang activity.

Considerations

There are many reasons teenagers join gangs. Teenagers often feel they have no power. A gang has power, and by being a part of the gang the teen gets the benefit of that extra clout. Also, the gap between the material wants of teens and their ability to make money is often great. As a result they may engage in the sale of drugs and sex.

It is true that gangs often give teens a feeling of belonging. This is often very important, particularly if they come from a home where they do not feel wanted.

It is sad, but sometimes teens want to be caught and sent to prison. Gang activity often extends into prison, and this provides security in an odd way.

Misconceptions

It is erroneous to believe that teen gangs are ineffective "neighborhood operations." Some gangs are national and handle millions of dollars of illegal funds as well as engage in random murder.

Warning

Gangs have not only grown as society has become less effective, but they have become more daring. In some cases teens join gangs because they are afraid not to. Gang initiations often involve murdering someone. Sometimes new members are forced to deliver drugs. Gangs battle over drug territories, and often, innocent people are killed.

Significance

Aside from the negative impact on society, gang activity takes a terrible toll on young lives. In more and more cases, teenagers are tried in America's court system as adults and often can receive sentences that keep them in jail for most of their lives. Rather than using the country's resources to strengthen society, we use them to warehouse young people.

Prevention/Solution

Decreasing gang activity will take a multi-prong approach. Teens must feel they are part of "the system." Social services have to be in tune with family home life. People often look the other way as long as gang activity does not affect them personally. Law enforcement must handle teens with understanding, but they must be visible.

It is not hard to understand why teens join gangs. They are looking for acceptance and a faster way to get what they want.