Major Factors That May Contribute To Youth Gang Involvement

• Lives in neighborhood where gangs already exist, and where drugs and firearms are readily available
• Lack of opportunities for involvement in positive activities and hobbies, or too much unsupervised leisure time
• Problems at home; poor family management; problematic parent-child relationships; poor parental supervision
• Associates with aggressive peers and peers who engage in delinquency
• Prior and/or early involvement in delinquency, especially violence and alcohol or drug use
• Low attachment to school; poor educational or employment potential
• The need for recognition and belonging which has not been met through positive avenues

• For more information, see for example:
  • Hawkins, J. David and John A. Pollard. "Risk and Protective Factors: Are Both Necessary to Understand Diverse Behavioral Outcomes in Adolescence?", Social Work Research, 23, 3, (1999) pp. 145-158.
  • Howell, James C. "Moving Risk Factors into Developmental Theories of Gang Membership," Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 3, 4, (2005) pp. 334-354.

• What Is a Gang?
• How Are Gangs Identified?
• Gang Types
• Graffiti
• How Do Gangs Recruit Their Members?
• Common Gang Initiations
• Why Young People Join Gangs?
• How Old Are Gang Members?
• Warning Signs That Your Child May Be Involved with a Gang
• What Can Parents Do To Prevent Gang Involvement?
• What Are Some School-based Anti-Gang Strategies?
• What Are Some Community Anti-Gang Strategies?
• Common Myths About Gangs
• How Do I Report Gang Activity?