Why do youth join gangs? An examination of the social factors that motivate youth individuals for gang membership within Western culture
Why do youth join gangs? It appears obvious that family, neighborhood and peer groups have an immense impact on the decision for a youth individual to join a gang. Family disorganization, living with a gang member, low parental monitoring and pro-violent behavior can lead to the desire for gang membership and social acceptance among youth. Neighborhood influences, such as gang presence, availability of drugs, and economic barriers, foster the desensitization of gangs to youth individuals. Lastly, peer pressure, as well as delinquent social groups can result in the attractiveness and appeal of a gang membership. Thus, the negative social factors derived from family, neighborhood, and peer groups are interconnected and ultimately motivate youth individuals for gang membership. This paper argues that through the social domains of the family, neighborhood and peer groups, youth individuals can be influenced to join a gang. …show more content…
Family dis-organizational influences including: living with a gang member, and familiar association with a gang, predict gang membership for adolescents (Gilman 2014; Gordon 2004). Specifically, youth individuals who live with a gang member, or are related to a gang member are eight times more likely to join a gang and participate in delinquent activities (Gilman et al. 2014). Moreover, gang members often report that their cousins or uncles are apart of a gang, and it is likely that children exposed to gang membership in a familiar setting will also join a gang (Gilman et al. 2014). A family environment with constant gang presence reinforces the idea that gangs are a normative part of youth socialization; which, in turn, reinforces the idea that being apart of a gang is normal. (Alleyne and Wood
Why do youth join gangs? It appears obvious that family, neighborhood and peer groups have an immense impact on the decision for a youth individual to join a gang. Family disorganization, living with a gang member, low parental monitoring and pro-violent behavior can lead to the desire for gang membership and social acceptance among youth. Neighborhood influences, such as gang presence, availability of drugs, and economic barriers, foster the desensitization of gangs to youth individuals. Lastly, peer pressure, as well as delinquent social groups can result in the attractiveness and appeal of a gang membership. Thus, the negative social factors derived from family, neighborhood, and peer groups are interconnected and ultimately motivate youth individuals for gang membership. This paper argues that through the social domains of the family, neighborhood and peer groups, youth individuals can be influenced to join a gang. …show more content…
Family dis-organizational influences including: living with a gang member, and familiar association with a gang, predict gang membership for adolescents (Gilman 2014; Gordon 2004). Specifically, youth individuals who live with a gang member, or are related to a gang member are eight times more likely to join a gang and participate in delinquent activities (Gilman et al. 2014). Moreover, gang members often report that their cousins or uncles are apart of a gang, and it is likely that children exposed to gang membership in a familiar setting will also join a gang (Gilman et al. 2014). A family environment with constant gang presence reinforces the idea that gangs are a normative part of youth socialization; which, in turn, reinforces the idea that being apart of a gang is normal. (Alleyne and Wood