2007-01-28 15:11:33 · 17 answers · asked by Rachel T. 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
health benefits? I mean a street gang!
2007-01-28 15:15:15 · update #1
No thanks :) kevin I'm just inquiring?
2007-01-28 15:26:59 · update #2
The sense of need and belonging. Many of them come from broken homes, or just don't have anyone. Therefor they believe that being apart of a gang brings the love and attention they always craved and never had. A gang is a "family" for them. They represent something important to them, it's a close bond that is never broken.
2007-01-28 15:16:54 · answer #1 · answered by ☼ Latina Loca loves Yayo ☼ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A person looks to a gang to replace what they are missing from their family. The loyalty one experiences from a gang membership is the next closest thing to unconditional love.
Sounds corny, but I know some high school friends who joined gangs. Here's how some of them made out....
One was doused in fuel and lit ablaze. He's alive but he's so unsightly that he wears a mask.
His best friend is dead from a heroin overdose. This person was elected to lead the gang just before he died.
Another group of kids was killed in a street racing accident.
Another group is behind bars for their part in an armed robbery.
These were all kids I grew up with that chose gang life. These are the same kids I played soccer and baseball with growing up.
If you or anyone you know is thinking about joining a gang, please don't.
2007-01-28 15:24:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
People join gangs for a lot of reason, mainly, (you already mentioned it - peer pressure), but what causes peer pressure? What qualities would an individual have that would let them make a decision to join a gang? (too many negative consequences vs positive consequences) I think a lack of self esteem. Low self esteem drives people to others that will accept them, and validate them. Gangs are good at that. That same person with low self esteem, fails to make decisions on their own out of fear of being 'wrong'. Most times, the gang member has a low IQ, and relies on other gang members for re-assurance. In Texas, the average IQ of juveniles in the Texas Youth Commission (prison for kids) is 90.
2007-01-28 15:28:19 · answer #3 · answered by KenBC 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Peer pressure has little to do with it. Gangs afford protection and connection to persons who feel disconnected from society. If someone feels the law does not protect them or if they have little or no familial connections, (IE absent or abusive parents) then gangs are very appealing.
2007-01-28 15:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by morrowynd 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
people that join a street gang are mostly convinced or scared of the future ....they would rather get revenge right away to some one and their family .....sometimes they think its cool so they join a group of people to gang up on someone....they wanna represent where there from and they think they should protect it by tagging all over as marking their territory....
2007-01-28 15:20:20 · answer #5 · answered by BrunnettE B 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They need to feel like they belong. It's often kids who have been on their own, often naive, followers with low self-esteem. They get into the gang and find it makes them feel powerful, strong and part of a "family" they might never have felt they had.
2007-01-28 15:17:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Turn " peer pressure " inside out and think " peer attraction ". Do not always accept social science concepts as empirically supported all that well.
2007-01-28 15:31:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they think what they're doing is right, they'll go in it with a firm belief in what they're doing. Like joining a religion or a political party. To be able to be part of something where one can be accepted, is a big catalist in situations like these. Everyone likes to be accepted and everyone wants somekind of organization in their lives. Maybe they think that they've something to prove, that they're not man enough of though enough, so they compensate to enhance their shortcomings or misfortune.
2007-01-28 15:41:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
lack of parental involvement
lack of social support
people need to feel they belong & if a gang is the only/easiest option they will often go that route
2007-01-28 15:25:15 · answer #9 · answered by zilly 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wanting to be accepted. Fear or intimidation. Lack of parental support (in some cases, but not all.) Hardheadedness. Stupidity.
2007-01-28 15:16:21 · answer #10 · answered by amazingly intelligent 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋