A DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY ON REASONS WHY SOME RANDOMLY SELECTED STUDENTS

OF AGUSAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL JOIN TO GANGS

A Research Paper
Submitted to

Ms. Vanessa R. Natulla

A Faculty of College of Arts and Social Sciences
Caraga State University
Ampayon, Butuan City

In partial fulfillment the course requirement in

Eng. 2 (Writing in the Discipline)
Second Semester, A .Y . 2014-2015

By

Monique Jesse T. Delima

Ma. Camille T. Domingo
Charlene G. Dumo
Shelamie C. Espina
Jennifer M. Fajardo

March 2015

I. Introduction

Nowadays, many youth see themselves as making a rational choice deciding to join a
gang. Students involved in gangs may act out in class verbally or physically (Story,2009). The
gang students members have behaviors that are very different from the normal student or a
student that is not a member of a gang. Some gang members are usually aggressive in a
verbal way. They say harsh words that could really cause a bad effect to the people around
them especially their classmates and/or friends. On the other hand, some of the gang members
are very expressive in a physical way going to the point of hurting their classmates with just a
simple reason.(Wilford George, 2003)

Nowadays, Philippines students, especially high school students are engaged to existing
gangs. It is one of the main problems of secondary schools, because gangs are the influential
group which can affect the students behavior in the classroom (Maynilans-Articles). However,
students not involved in gangs are also affected by gang activity. Despite of this, there are
different reasons why those students join gang. Even though that they are already aware of the
bad effects in joining a gang, they still choose to open their eyes but close their minds because
they didnt see what would be the possible negative effects of joining gangs they use to join
gangs without thinking on what would be the result (Philstar,2010). Gangs are dangerous
because they are often violent and encourage members to engage in risking behaviours such
as drug use. These gangs continue to exist and now even as memebers die and age out.
Gangs are often at the center of appealing social actions like parties, hanging out, music, drugs,
and opportunities to socialize with member of the opposite sex (Homwell,2007).
Students participation and involvement to gangs have become a serious problem in
Agusan National High School. Gangs are known for having bad attitudes, having negative
thoughts, harsh, etc. (Rodriguez,2007). With that reason, it create distractions in the classroom
and may ultimately end in violence because the way a member of a gang thinks, is different to
the person that who is not a member of a gang they have their different thoughts and
expressions. (Reyes,2005). With that reason, it will cause misunderstanding that can be a
reason of having trouble.
This kind of behavior is distracting the other students who are attempting to learn.
According to some researchers (http//nces.ed.govph, December 11, 2013) social, economic,
and cultural push many adolescents in the direction of gangs.
This study explores the reasons why students join gangs.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to identify and probe on the perceived reasons why certain students in
Agusan National High School turn to gangs. Thus, this study aims to study the following:
1. What are the reasons of some random selected students of Agusan National High School why they join
gangs?
2. What is the difference between male and female reasons on joining gangs?
3. What is the famous gang group/gang name in Agusan National High School?
Scope and Limitation
This study was conducted on March 2015 at Agusan National High School and only aims to
determine why students in Agusan National High School join gangs. In this study, the researchers used
questionnaire as their instrument. This study is limited in choosing 20 students that are members of gangs
as their respondents.

Significance of the Study

This study intended to addressed itself to the following:

Students specifically the students of Agusan National High School, that they will not be closeminded to the positive and negative effects that joining of gangs may give.

Parents for them to gather information and knowledge about gangs so that they may gain strategic
discipline for their offsprings.

Teachers/School Staff that they may aware and to have strategies on handling their students inside
the classroom.

Schools may gain the possible negative activities that gangs can make.

Future Researchers. This would serve as a reference material for future researchers who would be
working with a topic relevant to the researchers topic. This would also give them additional
information and outputs to further exemplify their future studies.

B. Review of Related Literature and Related Studies

Definition of gang
A gang is a group of people which shares an identity and a common purpose. The term has
come to be associated specifically with street gangs, which organize for the purpose of carrying
out illegal activity which may vary from inciting conflict with other gangs to dealing drugs.
Because of this, people tend to be careful about how they use the word gang, to ensure that
people know what sort of group is under discussion. For example, historically groups of people
who worked together in construction were known as gangs, and this usage has become less
common to avoid confusion. In addition, according to the Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
information about the definition of gang/s, it states that a gang is a group of recurrently

associating individuals or close friends or family with identifiable leadership and internal
organization, identifying with or claiming control over territory in a community, and engaging
either individually or collectively in violent or illegal behavior
Defining a gang can be difficult, as the term has a fluid and often changing meaning. As a
general rule, most definitions include the idea that a gang is organized in some way, often with
clear leaders and a hierarchy, and that the members gather to socialize and carry out various
activities on a regular basis. The shared identity of gang members can be based on ethnicity,
culture, class, religion, or another common thread which allows people to find something of
interest in each other.

Characteristics of gangs
A gangs turf may be one block, a neighborhood, or an entire area of the city. Members wear
the gangs colors, or a particular style of clothing and symbols, which many times may indicate
luxury or power in a particular neighborhood. Certain social behavior, such as association with
gang members and knowledge of gang signs, may also be a matter of survival .
Many young males have to make peace with local gangs to go to school, work or merely
walk down a street in their neighborhood. Each gang has a leader, and sometimes other
officers. Drug gangs are different from other kinds of gangs. They are much more organized,
and much more dangerous. They are responsible for the distribution of illegal drugs from
marijuana to cocaine and heroin to methamphetamine Gang members are required to sell
drugs, carrying drugs and large amounts of cash and to protect dealers and other gang
members from police or rival gangs.

Members in gangs

According to Gang Alternative Program (GAP) that the average age of gang members is
from 14 to 21 years of age. Gang members, however, can be as young as 8 years old or as old
as 80. Recruitment into the gang usually starts in the middle school where the age group is
between 10 and 13. Some recruitment has also been seen in the elementary school and into
the early years of high school. Most gangs target youth that are easily talked into doing work for
the gang.
In the Philippines, the average age of gang members ranges from 14 to 23 years of age
(Richard Crookman, 2013).

Causes of joining gangs

The gang may be appealing because it meets a youths social needs. Youth reported the

following reasons for joinining a gang, in the order of descending importance (Esbensen,
Deschenes and Winfre, 1999) - for protection, for fun, for respect, for money and because of
friend was in the gang.
Another reasons according to the Edmonton Police Service are first, looking for a surrogate
family. Young people join gangs to receive the attention, affirmation, and protection they may
feel they are lacking at home. Second, breakdown of traditional family units. Many youngsters
do not have a positive adult role model. Many see domestic violence and alcohol and other
drug use in the home. Lack of parental involvement and the absence of rules and family rituals
allow older gang members to be viewed as authority figures by young teens and children. Third,
identity or recognition problems. Because of low self-worth and self-esteem, some youth join
gangs seeking the status they lack due to unemployment or academic failure at school. If young
people do not see themselves as intelligent, leaders, or star athletes, they join other groups
where they feel they can excel. Fourth, gang family history. Many street gang members carry on
a family tradition established by siblings, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or cousins who
they see as role models. Fifth, lack of alternatives. Few job opportunities, no positive
recreational choices, or lack of effective responses to peer pressure can create a climate
favoring gang membership.
Family problems and parenting difficulties can increase the risk of kids joining gangs. Many
kids who join gangs come from middle-class families with two biological parents at home.
However, many of these youth come from homes that are deeply troubled. They seek from the
gang what they are not getting (or will not accept) from their families. They are looking for
acceptance, love, companionship, leadership, encouragement, recognition, respect, role
models, rules, security, self-esteem, structure and a sense of belonging (Delos Santos, 2011).
According to Jordan Edward, a member of Youth Gang Prevention Organization that one of
the reason why youth/students join gangs its because they failed to realize what being in a
gang means. students often do not fully understand the danger, risks and legal problems
associated with being in a gang. If they dont have alternative activities and have too much
unsupervised free time, they are at risk.

Process in joining gangs

In order to join a gang, the person that is willing to join must have to prove he/she is
worthy by going through a process of initiation. In some gangs, initiation involves committing
some kind of crime. In others, new members have to "walk the line", that is, walk along a line of
member while each member beats him/her, and he is ordered not to fight back. Most female
gang members are either "beat in" or "sexed in". Initiations are generally very brutal
(Delgado,2003).

Effects of joining gangs

Youths often feel that gangs can protect them and keep them safe within the neighborhood,

even when lacking parental support for the decision. When children are not monitored or
supported by their parents (especially in single-parent households), gang membership becomes
more attractive to youth. Joining a gang, therefore, seems to be one mechanism for an
adolescent to find both family fulfillment and protection (Fejes-Mendoza, et al, 2007).
One of the biggest misconceptions about joining a gang is the thought of getting rich. Some
young people think gang members are rich, drive expensive cars, and dont have to work.
However, very few gang members get rich. Most of their money goes in one hand and out the
other to support flash and style rather than for living. They do not live luxurious or glamorous
lives (Erhmann, 2008).

Respondents and Locale

The researchers selected the respondents by employing a stratified random sampling.

Hence, a total number of 20 student respondents were given questionnaire, there are 10 male
gang members and 10 female gang members. This study was conducted in Agusan National
High School.

Procedure

The researchers conducted a descriptive research about the reason why student join
gangs. The instrument used by the researchers was a survey questionnaire. The
researchers made a survey questionnaire about the reasons why students join gangs and
choose 20 are the respondents of the study to answer the said questionnaire. The
researches selected the respondents by employing a stratified random sampling. After they
had selected the respondents, the researchers distributed the questionnaire and they let
their selected respondents to answer the questionnaire. Next, some of the questions state
in the questionnaire were explained by the researchers to their respondents, in order for
the respondents to answer the questionnaire completely and correctly.
Basically, information from books, encyclopedias, journals, and internet materials were
used to asses the ideas and reinforced the observation gathered.

Results
Figure 1.1
The Graph Presentation of Gang Names

In figure 1.2 stated that among of the 20 students who joined gangs, SHADOW gang got
the percentage of 45 % which is the highest number of members. Then CRIPS and BLOODS
gangs got the same percentage which is 20%. Lastly, POISON SIGMA got the lowest
percentage which is 15% . Hence, 6 students that the researchers surveyed are members of
the shadow gang. Based on the survey, the reasons of the students of choosing SHADOW
gang, is because it was the coolest and famous gang in their school. In addition, some of the
members of the SHADOW gang were just only recruited by their friends.

Figure 1.2
Graph Presentation of Male and Female Reasons why they join Gang
g

In figure 1.2 states the reasons why some random selected students join to gang. In
male graph result

Figure 1.4

The Reasons of Students Why they Join Gangs and Its Interpretation

A sense of

Need for food

Desire for

Family

family

or money

protection

history and

Peer pressure

To appear
cool

traditions

In gang, I can
find
happiness
that I didnt feel
to
my
own
family..

Pag wala koy

kwarta
sila
akong dali-dali
maduolan kay di
mureklamo

Feel
nako
safe
biskay
asa ko pa
ingon kay naa
man ako mga
gang
members

Most of my
cousins
join
gang, so I
decided
to
join gang also.

Nakit-an man To be famous

nako nga bibo and to have
ang naay gang many friends.
ug kasagaran
nko classmate
ug friends naa
may gang ,ni
enter
nalang
pud ko.

The table above states the reasons why students turn to gangs. In the first column, the
respondent stated that he/she cant feel the happiness in his/her family. This means, that the
respondents family cant sustain and provide his/her emotional needs. Then his/her gang can
fill his/her needs as a human being. Second, the reason stated by the respondent in joining
gang means their family can not support their daily needs that must be given to them. Third is,
he/she is confident and feel security if he/she is with his/her gangmates. Fourth reason of the
respondent is he/she was influenced and recruited by his/her cousin which belongs to history
and tradition. Fifth reason of the respondent was he/sehe felt that gangs can provide happiness
to him/her and also he/she was just influenced by his/her friends because his/her friends are
already a gang member. Lastly, the reason of the respondent of joining gang is because he/she
wants to gain attention in his/her surroundings, which can result to fame. He/she wanted to gain
fame, in order for him/her to have friends because he/she believes that if he/she is famous for
he/she can have many friends.
In general, the root of the reasons of the respondents is lack of attention from their family that
they need.

Discussion
In figure 1.1 it states that among of the 20 students who joined gangs, SHADOW gang
got the percentage of 45 % which is the highest number of members. Then CRIPS and
BLOODS gangs got the same percentage which is 20%. Lastly, POISON SIGMA got the lowest
percentage which is 15% . Hence, 9 students that the researchers surveyed are members of
the shadow gang. Based on the survey, the reasons of the students of choosing SHADOW
gang, is because it was the coolest and famous gang in their school. In addition, some of the
members of the SHADOW gang were just only recruited by their friends.
In the table figure 1.2 it states the reasons why students join gangs. The
researchers found out that peer pressure got the main reason in joining gangs of males. Hence,
they were influenced by their friends to join gangs. They were easily dragged because they
experienced closeness and felt a special care from their friends. The closeness and special
care they felt by their friends build a strong relationship and turn to one another trust. As
students increases their relationship with their peers change as they become more vulnerable
and emotionally intimate with their peers and this requires greater trust, Angela Oswalt, 2005.
Since they were insecure and seeking for their selves to fit in, they just also decided to
participate the hobbies and activities of their friends - joining group of gangs. According to Erik
Eriksons theory of psychosocial development (identity versus confusion), as they make the
transition from childhood to adulthood, teens may begin to feel confused or insecure about
themselves and how they fit in to society. They seek to establish a sense of self, teens may
experiment with different roles, activities and behaviors. Second, the reason why most males
join gangs because they dont received enough attention and support at home that must be
given to them by their family. With that reason, the jealousy will slowly build to their identity
wherein they will decide to join gangs because they see their friends having a lot of attention
and support inside the gang family that they could not found to their immediate family. This
reason is further more explained in Maslows hierarchy of needs of human being, a person who
has experienced just a little love and affection will be strongly motivated to meet these needs
and might go about satisfying the need for love and belongingness in a pathological way
wherein they could find love and acceptance and going to the point that they will desire to
belong to groups: clubs, work groups, religious groups, family, gangs, etc. where they can feel
loved (non-sexual) by others, to be accepted by others. Third reason, they join gangs to appear
cool with their surrounding because according to them, to be cool is to be famous. And being
famous entails to have a lot of friends so as to gain attention from others that they couldnt find
to their biological family. According to Gang Alternative Program (GAP) gangs have mastered
the art of manipulation to attract potential recruits. They wear the latest fashion trends, throw
the hottest parties, and drive the coolest cars. They can appear to have the 'perfect' lifestyle to
a young kid who's looking to fit in somewhere. They offer an image of "cool" that has been
glorified by the media and entertainment industry. Fourth reason, they desire for protection,
according to them, they will feel secured when they are in their gang family because they
believed that their gang family will defend them in times when they are in trouble. According to
Maslow in Fiest (1985: 379) when physiological needs are satisfied, then the person become

motivated by need to safety these includes physical security stability, dependency, protection
and freedom from such aggressive forces as illness, fear, anxiety and danger. Fifth ranked
reason is need for food and money. When the members of gang will be isolated with their
biological family, their gang family will provide their needs. According to Gang Alternative
Program (GAP) gangs may present themselves as a means of survival to youth who lacks basic
essentials such as, food, clothing and shelter. It is furthermore explained in Hierarchy of needs
of Abraham Maslow in Hjelle & Ziegler (1992:450) physiology needs are the most basic and
primary of all human need.Physiological needs are the most basic, powerful and urgent of all
human needs are those that are essential to physical survival (Maslow in Hjelle and Ziegler,
1992: 450). In other words, these needs are very essential for human beings to survive. These
needs include water, food, oxygen, sleep, maintenance of body temperature etc. Human beings
must satisfy these basic needs first before others, as Maslow states in Hall and Lindzey that
certain basic needs, such as hunger and thirst must be satisfied before other needs (1985:
201 202). The last reason is, family history and/or traditions. According to Gang Alternatives
(GAP) families can have gang involvement spanning over multiple generations. This is one of
the toughest forms of pressure to escape, as the gang lifestyle is deeply rooted in family
traditions and values.
Females on the other hand, peer pressure still ranked as their main reason of joining
gangs because they were just influenced and recruited by their boyfriends/lovers. In addition,
they are easily dragged in joining gangs because they wanted to be with their boyfriends/lovers.
According to Gang Alternative Program (GAP) the members of gang especially women are
much more attracted to gang because they wanted to be with their boyfriends especially when
their boyfriends are members of gangs. The second reason of females of joining gangs is
because they desire for protection. With that reason, when they are with their boyfriends/lovers
they felt that they are protected especially when they are already a member of a certain gang
where they can meet more friends wherein they can find more security. This furthermore
explained in the study of Broad Reach Counseling and Mediation Program that every member
of a gang are provided with a sense of safety in the knowledge that if they are ever harmed by
another individual or group, the other gang members will retaliate viciously against those who
caused the harm. Third reason is, females join gangs because they wanted to gain fame and
attention. The attention that they cannot find to their family that they need - the need of support,
love, acceptance and security. According to the Prevent Gang Organization, some members of
gang are lack of attention from their family and because of that, they will find a way to gain
attention from others. In addition with their information, they could really find their emotional
lacking needs in joining gangs. This is also one of the reason that pushed them to join gangs
(GAP). In addition, according to the research of Gary Burnett about the Gangs in Schools, it
states that gang membership gives youth a sense of belonging and becomes a major source of
identity for its members. In turn, gang membership affords youth a sense of power and control,
and gang activities become an outlet for their anger. Fourth reason, when the members of gang
are become isolated with their family, their family could not provide and sustain their needs in
their daily living. That is why gangs may present themselves as a means of survival to youth
who lack basic essentials such as food, clothing and shelter. Wherein according to Maslows
Hierarchy of Needs that our first needs are associated with basic survival, such as the need for
food, water, sex and sleep. These are all associated with our biological drives and are therefore
needs you must satisfy in order to stay alive. Lastly, some of them say that their family have an

involvement in gang and that reason they were influenced by their family/relatives that led them
in joining gang. It is furthermore explained in the study of Gang Alternatives (GAP) families can
have gang involvement spanning over multiple generations. This is one of the toughest forms of
pressure to escape, as the gang lifestyle is deeply rooted in family traditions and values.
In Figure 1.3 it states the reasons why students turn to gangs. In the first column, the
respondent stated that he/she cant feel the happiness in his/her family. This means, that the
respondents family cant sustain and provide his/her emotional needs. Then his/her gang can
fill his/her needs as a human being. Second, the reason stated by the respondent in joining
gang means their family cannot support their daily needs that must be given to them. Third is,
he/she is confident and feel security if he/she is with his/her gang mates. Fourth reason of the
respondent is he/she was influenced and recruited by his/her cousin which belongs to history
and tradition. Fifth reason of the respondent was he/sehe felt that gangs can provide happiness
to him/her and also he/she was just influenced by his/her friends because his/her friends are
already a gang member. Lastly, the reason of the respondent of joining gang is because he/she
wants to gain attention in his/her surroundings, which can result to fame. He/she wanted to gain
fame, in order for him/her to have friends because he/she believes that if he/she is famous for
he/she can have many friends.
In general, males and females have their different reasons why they join gangs. But the roots
of their reasons in joining gangs were similar which are the lack of attention and support which
must be given to them by their immediate families.

III. Summary, Conclusion, Recommendation

Summary
This study explored on the perception of Agusan National High School students on the
reasons why they join gangs. This study was conducted at Agusan National High School. The
researchers made a survey questionnaire on the reasons why students join gangs and
randomly chose twenty students to answer the questionnaire. Based on their survey,

14

students are members of gang and 6 students are non members of any gang.
After the conduct of the survey, the researchers recorded the result and found out that
the main reason why students join gang is that they are dragged by their friends, classmates,
and lovers. Based on the result of the survey, the students were easily attracted of joining
gangs because they do not receive enough support or attention at home. They are looking for
acceptance, love, companionship, leadership, encouragement, recognition, respect, role
models, rules, security, self-esteem, structure and a sense of belonging. When children's
emotional needs are met in families, the results are positive; otherwise they may look to gangs,
and the outcome is usually negative. With that reason, if the students cant find their needs in
their family, they will be more attracted to gangs because based on the survey, the gangs
served as a replacement to their biological family wherein they can find their needs.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results and findings, the researchers concluded that most of the students in
secondary level that are engaged to gangs said that they join gangs because they have been
influenced by their friends. They were easily dragged because of the reason that they are lack
of attention, support, love and acceptance that must be given to them by their immediate family.
In addition, the researchers found out that Agusan National High School students face a
persistent pressure to fit in. Peer pressure has affected many students lives negatively. The
students peers are pressuring them into something they dont necessarily believe in want to do
or be part of. They are being pressured into many bad things especially those that can have a
negative impact to their future.
The researchers also found out that some of the reasons of males and females have small
differences in ranking their reasons why they join gangs. In general, they have the same root of
reason why they join gangs which is lack of attention, support and acceptance from their family.
On the other side, the researchers conclude that there are advantages of joining gangs
wherein the students/youth can find a place for acceptance, love, security, belongingness that
they cannot found in their family. This means, joining gangs will not ruin the lives of the
members who are lack of emotional support that must be given to them from their families
instead they can fill and provide the needs of their members as a human being that needs care
for the daily living.
Thus, it becomes clear that joining gangs have different effects to the gang members.

Recommendation

In the light of the findings and conclusion, the following recommendations were drawn:

Students
The researchers recommend this study to the students so as to inform them to the possible

effects and impacts of gang involvement. The students must be open-minded and wise enough
in decision making so that they will not regret the possible negative outcome of joining gangs.

Parents
The researchers recommend this study to the parents so that they will not directly judge their

offsprings in joining gangs. They must know first the reasons why their offsprings are engaged
with gangs so that they will find a way to fill and to provide the needs of their children that they
must give to them,

Teachers/School Staffs
The reearchers recommend this study to the teachers/school staffs for them to be aware of

the emotional and physical status of the students or what they encounter in their present lives
before they will judge the students to their behaviors. So that they can plan and find strategies
in handling the students. And with that, they will be more watchful to the actions and behaviors
that the students perform inside the class.
`

School

The researchers recommend this study to the school community so that they can monitor the
activities of the students that are involved in gangs to prevent the possible negative results to
prevent trouble and crimes.

 Future Researchers
The researchers recommend this study to the future researchers to make use of this study
as a basis for their study, they could, perhaps, add some variables not stated in this study to
further advance the research on Reasons Why Students Join Gangs.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.edmontonpolice.ca ... Organized Crime Gangs

http://www.stophoustongangs.org/default.aspx?act...aspx...a+gang
http://www.enotes.com/.../what-advantages-disadvantages-membership-an-447.
http://www.gangfree.org/gangs_why.html
http://www.ojjdp.gov/jjbulletin/9808/conclusion.html
http://www.ojjdp.gov/jjbulletin/9808/why.html
http://www.floridagangreduction.com/flgangs.nsf/pages/Factors
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1895844/Family-breakdown-makes-children-join-g
angs.html
http://cpc.phippsinc.com/cpclib/pdf60755e.pdf
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/231116.pdf
http://www2.uwstout.edu/content/libthesis/2003/2003lorc.pdf
http://people.missouristate.edu/michaelcarlie/what_i_learned_about/gangs/why_do_kids
_join_criminal_street.htm
http://www.lapdonline.org/top_ten_most_wanted_gang_members/content_basic_view/23473
http://www.violencepreventioninstitute.com/youngpeople.html
https://middleearthnj.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/gangs-reasons-youth-join-warning-sign

s-

and-prevention-tips/

Republic of the Philippines

CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Arts and Science
Ampayon, Butuan City
Dear Respondents,
In partial fulfillment of their course requirements in English 2, the researcher would like
to ask favor you to answer question below. Your response will be significant in the study on.
Perception of Agusan National High School Students, Reasons Why They Join Gangs. Rest
assured that your profile will remain confidental. Thank you for your cooperation. God Bless!
Respectfully yours,
Monique Jesse T. Delima
Ma. Camille T. Domingo
Charlene G. Dumo
Shelamie Espina
Jennifer
PERCEPTION OF AGUSAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
REASON WHY THEY JOIN GANGS
A. Demographic Profile
Name :
Age :
Gender :

B. DO NOT leave questions unanswered. Answer the questions that follow. Check only one
answer for each question
1. Are you a member of a gang ?
___ YES
___ NO
If yes, please specify the Gang name______________________
2. If yes, what are the reasons why you joined the gang. Kindly rank the
reasons from 1-6 , 1 as the main reason and 6 as the least.
____ A sense of family (dont receive enough support or attention
at home)
____ Need for food and money (survival to youth who lack of
essentials such food,clothing and shelter)
____ Desire for protection
____ Family history or traditions
____ Peer pressure (influenced by friends)
____ To appear cool
3. Give your explanation for your main reason (1-2 sentences only)
___________________________________________________

basic

According to The National Gang Center and The Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention, boys are more involved in gangs than girls; however
you might be surprised to find out that the number of female gang members is
rapidly increasing. Gangs like to target young teens for recruitment. The
most popular time for gang recruitment is during middle school and some
reports show that children as young as 10 are joining gangs. A quarter of
gang members are between 15 and 17 years of age and the average gang member
age is between 17 and 18. Gangs target young vulnerable teens who are trying
to fit in and be accepted. Once these teens are in a gang they are exposed to
a life of violence and criminal activity. According to The National Gang
Center and The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, boys
are more involved in gangs than girls; however you might be surprised to find
out that the number of female gang members is rapidly increasing. Gangs like
to target young teens for recruitment. The most popular time for gang
recruitment is during middle school and some reports show that children as
young as 10 are joining gangs. A quarter of gang members are between 15 and
17 years of age and the average gang member age is between 17 and 18. Gangs
target young vulnerable teens who are trying to fit in and be accepted. Once
these teens are in a gang they are exposed to a life of violence and criminal
activity.