Gangs
Gangs have been reported in every county in New Jersey, in rural, urban, and suburban areas.
GANG MEMBERS ARE
- More likely to commit a crime, increasing their chances of being arrested/incarcerated
- More likely to be victims of violence themselves
- More likely to have alcohol/drug problems, and even health problems later in life
- Less likely to graduate high school
- Less likely to find a stable job
- Female gang members are especially vulnerable to sexual victimization
WHY DO YOUTH JOIN GANGS? – FORCES OF “PULL”
- We often think youth are coerced into a gang, but in most cases, this is not true. Youth are drawn to gangs because they provide social opportunities, such as:
- parties
- hanging out
- listening to music
- drugs
- opportunities to socialize with the opposite sex
- a way to show family, neighborhood, or cultural pride
- a way to earn money
WHY DO YOUTH JOIN GANGS? – FORCES OF “PUSH”
- Youth often get pushed into a gang because…
- They think gang life will provide them protection from neighborhood crime and violence
- Sometimes they have been pressured to join
- Gang leaders target youth who perform poorly in school, skip class, have low self-esteem,
have few friends, or have already gotten in trouble with the law
When asked, youth reported that the following reasons (in order of
importance), for joining a gang:- For protection
- For fun
- For respect
- For money
- For a friend or family member was in a gang
The Attraction of Gangs
Economics: For many young people who feel disconnected from the American dream, the economic opportunities of gang membership offer an acceptable alternative to a low-wage job in the legitimate employment arena.
- Relationships: Youth who feel marginalized, rejected, or ignored — in the family, school, or church — may join a gang to fill a need for support. Some youth join a gang for a sense of belonging, viewing the gang as a
substitute or auxiliary family. For some, the appeal is that a friend or family member is already in the gang. - Protection: Although there is incontrovertible evidence that kids in a gang are more likely to be exposed to violence than kids who do not belong to a gang, this does not resonate with many young people who believe that joining a gang will protect them from violence in school or the community. Also, girls who experience physical or sexual abuse at home may believe that being in a gang offers protection.
- Status: Gangs can be seen as a way to increase status among peers, a way to get respect, freedom, and independence — self-empowerment factors that may be missing from some kids’ lives.
- Outlaw culture: Many youth — not only those at risk for gang membership — rebel against traditional societal values. During the cognitive- development stage of adolescence, being a part of an “outlaw culture” can, for some kids, be compelling.
Sources
This information was gathered from the following national resources. To access them click the links below.
OJJDP –Â Parent Guide to Gangs
Changing Course –Â Preventing Gang Membership
OJJDP –Â Juvenile Justice Bulletin (Gang Prevention: An Overview of Research and Programs)
Changing Course:Â Keeping Kids Out of Gangs
