to be accepted i suppose maybe it makes them feel tough competition much?

it's not just minorities that are in gangs, you know. ever heard of a little group called the ku klux klan? the reason people join groups like that are because they feel powerless, and the organizations provide stability and a feeling of control in their lives

They're usually lured into gangs, and the gangs lie to them and promise them respect, and things that a family would usually provide them.

Many times children feel they have no choice. They may prefer to not become a gang member but they cannot see any other way to avoid the situation. Children may be living in fear on a daily basis and see joining a gang as a solution to problems. The pressure to join a gang may be very strong. Parents must provide children with a safe loving home environment plus help them get to school safely. It is also the parents' responsibility to seethat school is a safe place to learn and play. Children may join a gang as a means of protection from rival gangs. Children may view their neighborhood gang as a solution to the torment and threats from other gangs. Parents must work to see that the neighborhood is safe place for their children to play, learn and live. Parents need to work together to monitor children and provide law enforcement with information to help keep the neighborhood safe. If children get into trouble with law, parents must let their children suffer the consequences for illegal behavior. Protecting children from the law does not teach responsibility. Children often choose to join gangs if their friends or family members belong. In order to "fit in" with other gang members, children may also begin to wear certain colors or other types of clothing associated with gangs. They may wear distinctive hairstyles, use gang terminology, and get involved with gang activities. If a parent notices any of these indicators it is a signal that the child is interested in a gang or has already joined. Children often have unsupervised time. If this becomes excessive, children will search for something to do to prevent boredom. Gang activities can fill the excess time. Parents should be involved in coordinating and sponsoring activities for their children. More activities and parental involvement will decrease the strength a gang has in the neighborhood. Parents should form community groups that are willing to supervise children's activities. It is also important to know where your child is at all times. Make them accountable for their time and actions. Gang activities appear exciting to children. Children, especially teens, like to take risks. Gangs provide many opportunities to take risks and find excitement. Make sure your children are involved in sports, clubs or other activities that provide healthy risk taking opportunities. Get children involved with community work to help make neighborhoods safe. The appeal of obtaining money fast can be overwhelming for children. We live in a society that advocates immediate gratification at any expense. Gangs are involved in drugs and other criminal activities that give children opportunities to get money quickly. Children may be offered more money for delivering a package or being a lookout than their parents can earn in a week. Children must understand the risks and realize that consequences will be enforced. They must also realize that they are being used by older gang members who do not want to get caught. Teach your children to have pride in their accomplishments and to legitimately earn money. Parents must encourage the system to be consistent and to support the legal system. Report related activities to the police. Encourage children to stay in school in order to be qualified for a job. Give children responsibilities around the house, encourage work ethics and encourage children to seek jobs in the community. Children who feel valuable and important in the home will feel more comfortable with others. Parents need to teach children how to share, compromise and take turns, how to listen to what others have to say, and how to be a group member. Since the gang may be the most active organization in the neighborhood, parents must provide the opportunity for participation in youth organizations and athletic teams in order for children to practice group skills. If organizations do not exist in the neighborhood, parents must be willing to get involved to manage them. Also, set a good example for your children when you participate in group settings. Children may feel that they do not have a sense of purpose in life and seek gang activities to reinforce their self-esteem. Parents must strengthen children's sense of purpose by setting expectations for their personal behavior. Expect your children to have respect for others, to obey authority, to be honest and to do one's best. Help children set realistic goals so they feel a sense of accomplishment. Challenge your children to expand their interests. Work with the school to determine what opportunities are available for children. Keep communications open with school authorities and teachers. Children may join a gang to retaliate for personal injury or damage to friends or family. Parents must develop a support group in the community that can deal with children's sorrow or frustration. If necessary there are agencies and school employees who are capable of helping children to deal with these feelings of anger. General Reasons for Gang Membership The primary age group of gang members ranges generally from 13 to 21 years. Interviews of gang members indicate that joining a gang is seldom understood by the gang members themselves, but can vary from brotherhood to self-preservation as listed below. 1. Identity Gang members cannot achieve an identity in their environment, so they gain it in the gang culture. They often visualize themselves as warriors against the outside world, protecting their neighborhood. 2. Protection Joining a gang in a community with several gangs offers considerable protection from violence and attack from rival gangs. 3. Fellowship Studies indicate that a tight family structure is lacking in the home environment. Gang activity offers that closeness, that sense of family that is often lacking in the home. 4. Intimidation Membership can become very dangerous at this level of "recruitment." New members are forced to join by threats, violent beatings, and initiations in order to increase membership. No ethnic group or geographical location is excluded. Unlike gangs in the past, we are seeing mixed ethnic and socio-economic groups making up gangs. There is an on-going struggle for territorial control and the lucrative drug market among gangs in our community. School personnel, parents and community members need to be aware of these dynamics in their schools, homes, and in the community at large. Personal Reasons for Gang Membership There are a variety of personal reasons for young people joining gangs. These include: the excitement of gang activity, the need to belong, peer pressure, attention, financial benefit, family tradition, and a lack of realization of the hazards involved. This also is a way students with poor self-concept increase their self-esteem. These young people seek to attain recognition for their activities, whether criminal or not. Gangs supply that extra pat-on-the-back that they might not receive at home or at school. http://www.violencepreventioninstitute.org/youngpeople.html

Well some times those people don't really have a family or friends and are seeking protection from the world. A gang is like a family. They have the father, brother, etc. so that they can form a union to protect each other from the world that wishes to hunt them down. Some think it makes them look stronger so they join to show their character so that they can be respected. Other times it is merely to get money because the person has run out of options. Really there are hundreds of reasons why people join gangs but I only mentioned three things. It is not just men that join gangs, women can too. In fact there are several female gangs. There is not of one answer. Sometimes the answer never comes but does that mean stop? Nope just keep looking. Don't stereotype.

The White Man?

I don't know. I wish I had an answer, but I don't. It would be nice if everyone could overcome challenges together. :D ❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁ I know I missed you tonight. I signed on to talk with you and you're not here. Hope you're having fun! :D

Options: They don't have as many options as middle class kids. At least they think they don't. Their parental guidence is weak too. Protection: Your either with them or against them. It gives them a sense of self worth. They stick together. I went to prison 10 years ago. Before I went in, I had black friends. But I couldn't dare hang out w/ any blacks in the joint or I wouldn't survive. We stuck w/ our own kind. When something goes down in the yard, you need to be in the right place. Not many options. It's a sad reality.

It's because the gang offers something that civil society in general is not offering them.

Because we evolved from animals.

Because it's the easy way out. It's easier to reject society and complain about it than to actually work at doing something about it.