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Why Are Teens Attracted To Gangs

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Why Teenagers Are Attracted To Gangs

For some young teenagers, joining a gang can provide comfort, protection and a sense of belonging. Among teenagers, being in a gang can enhance their popularity status with peers, who particularly are girls. A gang is a group of three or more individuals who make a name for themselves by creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Gangs tend to identify themselves by a collective name, a slogan, identifying sign, tattoos or other physical markings. Statistics show that the highest percentage of gang members are teenagers who range from the ages of 13 to 18. Being in a gang may seem like fun, or seem cool and exciting, but in actuality it is can be dangerous, unsafe and could be fatal. Gangs have been a part of society for many years. Most modern gangs started as a group of people working towards one common goal, protecting their neighborhood. Eventually, helping the neighborhood became obsolete and drug trafficking and violence became the main focus of the organization. Lately, gang members have turned from outcast and being frowned upon to becoming role Thompson 2 models. In recent years, the model perceptions of gangs are now cool, respected and in …show more content…

Gangs glorify loyalty as one of their most upheld and sacred laws. Most members of gangs refer to each other as family, for example calling them “cuz” for cousin or “blood” meaning blood relation. Members of the gang give each other a constant support based upon companionship, trust, and solidarity. Some teens, who have little emotional support in their home, often have no parental connection and live in an unsteady environment. Gangs are mostly filled with teens that are from poverty stricken neighborhoods. Teens are often attracted to the promise of food, shelter, and money, often given in unbelievable amounts if they were to join the

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