Hi there,
Welcome back! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning. My goal for today’s post is to offer some background on factors contributing to young people joining gangs. All of the information I’ll share today comes from the National Gang Center and their free online workshop on the topic.
There are certain factors in a young person’s life that studies have shown make them more likely to join gangs. These are called risk factors and they fall into five different domains, or categories:
Welcome back! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning. My goal for today’s post is to offer some background on factors contributing to young people joining gangs. All of the information I’ll share today comes from the National Gang Center and their free online workshop on the topic.
There are certain factors in a young person’s life that studies have shown make them more likely to join gangs. These are called risk factors and they fall into five different domains, or categories:
Risk factors are circumstances that a person is born into or finds themselves in. They are not necessarily things a person chooses for themselves. Let’s explore the five domains!
Individual
There are many aspects of individuals entirely out of their control that research shows puts them at greater risk of joining gangs. Many of these factors are behavior related: a young person with impulsive, reactive or aggressive tendencies is at higher risk. These very behaviors are validated and encouraged by gang members. It’s important to remember behaviors like this can often be learned behaviors, meaning a young person is mimicking what they see at home, in their neighborhoods, on television or at school. They may perceive these behaviors as normal.
In addition to these qualities, negative life events are powerful influences of gang involvement in the individual domain. A family member with a severe illness, death of a parent or guardian, a divorce or other disruption of family relationships all serve as risks for gang involvement.
The National Gang Center notes that little boys want love and protection just as much as little girls do but rarely receive it when experiencing negative life events at an early age. Boys aren’t encouraged to process their emotions/grief/struggles.
Individual
There are many aspects of individuals entirely out of their control that research shows puts them at greater risk of joining gangs. Many of these factors are behavior related: a young person with impulsive, reactive or aggressive tendencies is at higher risk. These very behaviors are validated and encouraged by gang members. It’s important to remember behaviors like this can often be learned behaviors, meaning a young person is mimicking what they see at home, in their neighborhoods, on television or at school. They may perceive these behaviors as normal.
In addition to these qualities, negative life events are powerful influences of gang involvement in the individual domain. A family member with a severe illness, death of a parent or guardian, a divorce or other disruption of family relationships all serve as risks for gang involvement.
The National Gang Center notes that little boys want love and protection just as much as little girls do but rarely receive it when experiencing negative life events at an early age. Boys aren’t encouraged to process their emotions/grief/struggles.
Family
Risk factors in the family domain most often relate to the social structure within the home. If youth are allowed unrestricted access to their peers they are more likely to be doing risky things together. It’s important parents/guardians monitor who their children are spending time with and when they are communicating (late into the night or early morning before anyone else is awake = red flags).
If there’s a lack of oversight or control youth can more easily engage in gang activity or get into trouble. Consistent rules and discipline help young people know what is and isn’t acceptable for the family. Structure and positive reinforcement help young people avoid getting pushed or pulled into gangs. On the other hand, a parent or guardian who is unable to offer structure can be interpreted by a young person as a parent/guardian who doesn’t care enough even if that is not true.
Risk factors in the family domain most often relate to the social structure within the home. If youth are allowed unrestricted access to their peers they are more likely to be doing risky things together. It’s important parents/guardians monitor who their children are spending time with and when they are communicating (late into the night or early morning before anyone else is awake = red flags).
If there’s a lack of oversight or control youth can more easily engage in gang activity or get into trouble. Consistent rules and discipline help young people know what is and isn’t acceptable for the family. Structure and positive reinforcement help young people avoid getting pushed or pulled into gangs. On the other hand, a parent or guardian who is unable to offer structure can be interpreted by a young person as a parent/guardian who doesn’t care enough even if that is not true.
School
Youth spend a significant amount of time in their school environment. Schools with a culture of low academic performance or ambition are more likely to push young people towards gang involvement. On the other hand a youth may be attending a school with high academic achievement but if they are unable to connect or feel attached to any of their teachers they are at a greater risk of joining a gang. Teachers and other non-parental adults play a crucial role in reinforcing positive behaviors in young people.
Social aspects at school also play an important role in either protecting or putting youth at greater risk. If a kid feels victimized by their peers (bullied, given negative attention, teased or alienated) they are more likely to seek protection from gangs. If a young person doesn’t enjoy school, they are more likely to skip school when called upon by gang members.
Youth spend a significant amount of time in their school environment. Schools with a culture of low academic performance or ambition are more likely to push young people towards gang involvement. On the other hand a youth may be attending a school with high academic achievement but if they are unable to connect or feel attached to any of their teachers they are at a greater risk of joining a gang. Teachers and other non-parental adults play a crucial role in reinforcing positive behaviors in young people.
Social aspects at school also play an important role in either protecting or putting youth at greater risk. If a kid feels victimized by their peers (bullied, given negative attention, teased or alienated) they are more likely to seek protection from gangs. If a young person doesn’t enjoy school, they are more likely to skip school when called upon by gang members.
Peers
Ideally parents/guardians should know who their kids are hanging out with. If youth spend time with negative influences or feel pressured into doing things their family wouldn’t approve of, they are at greater risk of becoming gang involved.
Studies show youth who spend time with other youth with a history of skipping school, have easy access to drugs or alcohol or otherwise carry antisocial beliefs are at a greater risk of joining gangs. Youth have strong influence on their peers. Nearby supervision helps protect them from risky behavior. This is not to say that kids should be shunned or neglected purely because they have great risk factors in their lives. They need to feel connected to their community and peers as well.
Ideally parents/guardians should know who their kids are hanging out with. If youth spend time with negative influences or feel pressured into doing things their family wouldn’t approve of, they are at greater risk of becoming gang involved.
Studies show youth who spend time with other youth with a history of skipping school, have easy access to drugs or alcohol or otherwise carry antisocial beliefs are at a greater risk of joining gangs. Youth have strong influence on their peers. Nearby supervision helps protect them from risky behavior. This is not to say that kids should be shunned or neglected purely because they have great risk factors in their lives. They need to feel connected to their community and peers as well.
Community
Communities experiencing poverty, disorganization or sudden population shifts are more likely to pull youth into gangs. If there is a sense of isolation or lack of community involvement, youth are at greater risk of becoming gang involved. The protective factors for community are building relationships with neighbors and fostering a strong sense of neighborhood culture. These measures can help balance out risk factors in the community domain that are often uncontrollable.
Communities that don’t have resources for families or have high competition for limited resources are more likely to see gang activity. Negative social climates like segregation or marginalization also contribute to the risk level.
So, Why Gangs?
The National Gang council believes youth are rarely forced to join gangs. In most cases there is a complex combination of the risk factors described above that either push or pull young people into gangs. There is a perceived relief of painful experiences or situations that pulls youth in. There can also be risk factors that push youth towards an environment where it’s easier to get involved in gang activity.
Gangs can be perceived by youth to offer safety, protection, a family-vibe, access to money and access to drugs/substances. Youth sometimes see the “benefits” of joining a gang without noticing the danger or drawbacks. What’s visible is that a gang member may have a romantic partner(s) or a nice car. Most gangs advertise opportunities for earning money. What aren’t as visible are the consequences hidden beneath these appeals.
Please know joining a gang is not a permanent decision despite popular belief. The National Gang Center says about half the kids with multiple risk factors will not end up joining a gang. Half of youth who do join a gang will end up leaving after a year or so.
I hope I’ve offered some helpful information on why a young person may join a gang. I recognize this post has a different tone than most and I think it’s okay to shake things up from time to time!
I’d love to know your thoughts or if you have personal stories related to this post.
As always I’m sending my best,
Christopher Belisle at SCTF
Resources
More about Risk & Protective Factors: https://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/spt/Risk-Factors/12
Free Online Training on Why Youth Join Gangs: www.nationalgangcenter.gov/video
More Free Online Trainings: https://www.nttac.org/index.cfm?event=trainingCenter.trngsearchresults
Communities experiencing poverty, disorganization or sudden population shifts are more likely to pull youth into gangs. If there is a sense of isolation or lack of community involvement, youth are at greater risk of becoming gang involved. The protective factors for community are building relationships with neighbors and fostering a strong sense of neighborhood culture. These measures can help balance out risk factors in the community domain that are often uncontrollable.
Communities that don’t have resources for families or have high competition for limited resources are more likely to see gang activity. Negative social climates like segregation or marginalization also contribute to the risk level.
So, Why Gangs?
The National Gang council believes youth are rarely forced to join gangs. In most cases there is a complex combination of the risk factors described above that either push or pull young people into gangs. There is a perceived relief of painful experiences or situations that pulls youth in. There can also be risk factors that push youth towards an environment where it’s easier to get involved in gang activity.
Gangs can be perceived by youth to offer safety, protection, a family-vibe, access to money and access to drugs/substances. Youth sometimes see the “benefits” of joining a gang without noticing the danger or drawbacks. What’s visible is that a gang member may have a romantic partner(s) or a nice car. Most gangs advertise opportunities for earning money. What aren’t as visible are the consequences hidden beneath these appeals.
Please know joining a gang is not a permanent decision despite popular belief. The National Gang Center says about half the kids with multiple risk factors will not end up joining a gang. Half of youth who do join a gang will end up leaving after a year or so.
I hope I’ve offered some helpful information on why a young person may join a gang. I recognize this post has a different tone than most and I think it’s okay to shake things up from time to time!
I’d love to know your thoughts or if you have personal stories related to this post.
As always I’m sending my best,
Christopher Belisle at SCTF
Resources
More about Risk & Protective Factors: https://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/spt/Risk-Factors/12
Free Online Training on Why Youth Join Gangs: www.nationalgangcenter.gov/video
More Free Online Trainings: https://www.nttac.org/index.cfm?event=trainingCenter.trngsearchresults
