Why Do Young People Join Gangs?

 

Young people join gangs for different reasons. Some join gangs to feel powerful or  stronger than everybody else.  Some teenagers who have problems with other young people may join a gang for protection. Young people who don’t have family or a mentor to guide or support them may join a gang to make them feel like they are part of a family.

A lot of young people today join gangs for money, respect, security and help. This is very sad because by joining a gang they are just making things worse for themselves. A gang will not give them anything apart from trouble and danger. Now that they are in a gang they will inherit lots of problems with other teenagers and may end not being able to leave their own area without getting beaten up, stabbed or even shot. Some young people think that by joining a gang they will appear cool and respected. Teenagers need to understand that gangs are pointless and dangerous.