The Reasons Why Kids Join Gangs

Risk Factors

• There are some factors that indicate that a juvenile is more likely to join a gang, according to the Community Service Council. Kids who have previous delinquent behavior, such as committing violent or nonviolent crimes, or previous drug and alcohol use, are predisposed to gang membership. Youths who live in areas where there is gang activity and juvenile delinquency, and where drugs and guns are readily available, are targets for gang activity. Children who have negative relationships with parents and teachers and who perform poorly or get into trouble at school are also more likely to join a gang.

Family Issues

• Children who have family members who are involved in gangs frequently join a gang because they are used to that type of lifestyle. Youths who don't have relatives in gangs will turn to a gang because of problems they are having at home. Family issues that cause a child to join a gang include having parents with substance abuse problems, parents who fight excessively, absentee parents, and a lack of basic needs at home.

Social Reasons

• Youths who don't have a healthy self-image are likely to turn to gangs to make themselves feel important or wanted, or to be a part of a social group. Juveniles who feel like outsiders at home or at school may find that gangs fill that social void. In urban areas where the threat of gang violence is a part of everyday life, children may join gangs for protection.

Financial Reasons

• Many youths are drawn to the gang lifestyle because they see gang activity as a way to obtain money and material possessions quickly. Committing one crime, such as a robbery or drug deal, often yields more money than the child would make doing chores or working a regular job over a longer period of time. This money allows the youth to purchase things quickly instead of having to work for them.