What is a Gang?

It is fun to belong to a group and do the same sort of things. But not all gangs are safe or innocent. As you get older you may come into contact with other kinds of gangs. These gangs may have a special gang name, special gang symbols, like graffiti tags, a ‘territory’ that the gang thinks of as their own area and sometimes gang activities which could be illegal. People join gangs for many reasons. They:

• like the feeling of belonging,
• like to feel special,
• like to feel important,
• like to feel appreciated,
• may like to feel powerful.

Joining a sports team, a club or other group can have the same effect without the possible dangers of being in a gang. As you get towards your teenage years, it is natural to want to spend more time with your friends than with your family. You may feel really grown up and flattered that some older and tougher kids want you to join their gang. But take care that you don’t get influenced into joining the kind of gang that can lead to you getting into trouble and may even put your family at risk. Some gangs insist that once you join you cannot leave and other members may threaten you and your family if you try to. The more you do with the gang, the more you are under their influence and in their power. Gangs can be dangerous because:

• your life could be taken over by the gang,
• you may start losing interest in other things,
• your being in a gang could upset your family and other friends,
• you could become involved in crime.

If you are already in a gang and want to get out, you need to talk to a trusted adult about it and get help. It is quite natural for groups of kids to want to hang out together. But big groups of kids hanging around can seem scary to others and another gang could come along and start something that will get you into trouble. Getting involved with some gangs known to the police can lead to problems with criminal activities. It could eventually lead to you being afraid all your life that you or your family will never be safe.