Gang Deconstruction

II. Incentives for Joining Gangs
Gangs in the United States include several types of groups, including national street
gangs, local street gangs, prison gangs, motorcycle clubs, and ethnic and organized
crime gangs. Approximately 1.4 million people were part of gangs as of 2011, and more
than 33,000 gangs were active in the United States.
Many American gangs began, and still exist, in urban areas. In many cases, national
street gangs originated in major cities such as New York City, Los
Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami and they later migrated to other American cities.
Reasons for Joining
People join gangs for various reasons, including:
Profiting from organized crime, which could be a means to obtain food and
shelter, or access to luxury goods and services
Protection from rival gangs or violent crime in general, especially when the police
are distrusted or ineffective
Personal status
A sense of family, identity, or belonging
Intimidation by gang members or pressure from friends
Family tradition
Excitement of risk-taking
Studies aimed at preventing youth involvement in gangs have identified additional "risk
factors" for joining, including:
Lack of parental supervision
Family instability
Family members with violent attitudes
Being part of a socially marginalized group (e.g. ethnic minority)
Family poverty
Lack of youth jobs
Academic problems (frustration at low performance, low expectations, poor
personal relationships with teachers, learning disability)
Violent crime committed by others against the potential gang member, or friends
or family
Involvement in non-gang illegal activity, especially violent crime or drug use
Low self-esteem
Lack of role models
Hyperactivity
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