Lulz in this thread.....

I see why gangs exist today and will continue to exist tomorrow; self-esteem and social influence. It does not matter how much money your family has, or where you live (although these factors do increase chances), but it is mainly that many of our teens do not have a real positive influence in their lives. I know someone is going to argue with me and say I don't know what I'm talking about, but you will be wasting your time.

I will say that once youth get at a young age, it is hard to convince them that there is a another way. They find friends, protection, money, sex, and power; all things that can be achieved by not joining a gang. Single parent homes, no father, bad parents in general, parents that are balling but work 100 hours a week, etc. all make for a kid to go seek acceptance. Many of the youth that join gangs now (not knowing current members well), are mainly scavengers, and are set out to do the dirty work. Until you prove yourself, by doing 90% illegal activity, then are you respected to a certain extent.