First of all let us be clear about two things. Number one, gangs exist in the suburbs, as well as inner cities. Gangs have ceased to be an "inner city" problem. Secondly, unlike corporate America and country clubs, gangs accept anyone, any race and any sex. Now that we have cleared that up let's talk gangs. The increased growth of gangs can be largely blamed on factors surrounding a child's current physical, mental, social, and family climate. The following can be included in the list of why youth join gangs.

Family: Growing up in a gang family could be considered quite normal. The home environment a family provides for their children could be harmful or neglectful. Abuse and neglect in the family could leave young members seeking care and protection elsewhere. As with many adult cults, most gangs prey on the weak and the child that yearns to fit in. With most gangs, they will convince your child that joining "their gang" will make them a "cool and popular" teen.

The social reasons why young people get involved in gangs (especially if they do not have the support of their families) are: * the "glamorous" lifestyle of gang members * the greed of money and the ease of making it * a sense of social status by "hanging out" with the "right contacts" A mixture of these factors, as well as others, may be an individual's reasons for becoming part of a gang.