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Gang Risk Factors

Young males and females are at risk for developing any number of behaviors or associations that are risky or overtly dangerous. Among these developments, participation in a gang is of enormous significance in that such groups are linked to crime, violence, drug use and abuse, school dropout and failure, and other activities that are viewed as both deviant and destructive (Grand Prairie Police Department, 2008). While familial factors such as divorce, single-parent homes, poverty,

poor or abusive parenting or guardianship, and drug or alcohol abuse within the family are linked to a potential for gang involvement, other factors can also be identified that place young people in the age 12 to 18 year-old cohort at risk for gang membership (Grand Prairie Police Department, 2008).

Among the behaviors or circumstances that may be indicative of gang involvement are (1) negative changes in behaviors including withdrawing from family and friends; declining school attendance or performance; saying out without reason, secrecy, confrontational behavior; and changes in attitudes about formerly positive behaviors; (2) Unusual interest in one or two particular pieces of clothing or colors; (3) interest in gang-influenced music, videos, or mores; (4) use and practice of hand signals such as those contained in the appendix; (5) peculiar signs or drawings on clothes, books, or other items; (6) suspected drug and alcohol use; (7) the presence of weapons in the youth's room; (8) unexplained cash or expensive goods; and (9) unexplained injuries (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2008).

The major risk factors identified by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (2008) can be categorized as individual characteristics, family conditions, school experiences and performance, peer group influences, and community context. Risk factors predictive of gang involvement include early conduct or behavioral disorders, participation in violence or drug/alcohol...

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Gang Risk Factors. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 01:04, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/2000355.html