Why do our young people feel the need to join gangs?

Question

I'm raising a young boy and I need to understand what thought goes on in ones mind prior to joining a gang?

Yes, his Dad & I are married.

Answer 1

who really knows. i have a 9 year old boy and i am constantly looking for any odd changes about him and the friends he hangs out with. cuz if he is looking to get beat up....i am capable to do the same thing to him at home. and i'll still love him.

Answer 2

Well, first you'll have to get your *** kicked by several other gang members, then you'll have to commit crimes and do drugs to show that you're "in" with your new found friends. Then you'll have to provide "income" for the gang. Sleep with ugly, disease carrying women gang members. Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, you'll have to steal from your own parents. Drop out of school. Come on dude, there is help for you. Go see your Guidance Counselor and tell your parents or an Aunt & Uncle about your feelings and see if you can get the help you need.

Answer 3

They're bored. So not having any parental guidance/supervision what better way to pass time but to join a gang. Joining a gang is like having family that cares about you--always there when you need them. Parents have to become more actively involved in their children's lives...By doing this, it should stop the need to join a gang.

Answer 4

Some kids that are neglected in one form or another when growing up yearn for that "family" feeling, and are brainwashed into thinking said gang will fulfill that need.........It's too late sometimes for some to realize that joining a gang was ultimately the wrong decision- which usually coincides with that persons first visit to juvenile hall.

Answer 5

They think that this gang will have their back for whatever reason. And, that if something happens to one in specific, the whole gang will handle it. They're tricked into believing that a gang is a "family" and that they're united to be there for eachother.
It's quite ridiculous because what they need to realize and understand is they have a family and good friends. You shouldn't want to go out looking for trouble, fighting for other peoples business, or fight other peoples battles for them.

Answer 6

they arent getting the discipline they need at home, and are looking for some rules. The way parents want to be friends with their kids, when they are even around, and coddle them, it is doing them no favors, subconscioulsy they know this, and chose something else. Not a good choice perhaps, but it is a cry for help. Not to mention the perks of a gang; drugs, sex, and getting to listen to that rap music.

Answer 7

I worked at an Alternative school once. I asked one of the students, why he chose to be a part of a gang. He said because" he belonged", they were a family. I asked if he was afraid that the lifestyle could get him killed. He said " It don't matter Miss, they would never forget"

Answer 8

To be cool and I don't know what else I don't want to join a gang.

Answer 9

i guess because they think its cool and everybody else is doing it, because if you don't you wont get to hang out with your friends anymore, or in the inner city situation, because the kids don't come from very good families or families that just arn't around a lot and they think that what a gang gives them is a family because they really want that support.

Answer 10

i think for a child to want to join a gang may be because they feel like their family doesnt treat them like part of the family.. so they go else where to find it. and go where they think they are needed. and from there thats where the problems begin.. my family never was there for me and never helped me.. so on etc.