NCJ Number
120606
Date Published
1989
Length
0 pages
Annotation
In urging youth not to join gangs, this video describes various types of gangs, the destructive aspects of gang influences, reasons youth join gangs, and the warning signs of gang involvement.
Abstract
The three types of gangs described are the social gang, whose members interact primarily for social activities conducted within accepted social norms and values; the delinquent gang, organized around delinquent activities for monetary gain; and the violent gang, which features violent activity for emotional gratification. Some of the reasons discussed for why youth join gangs are attention, acceptance, a feeling of belonging, financial gain, and peer pressure. The portrayed warning signs of gang involvement are changing friends, difficulty communicating, lack of interest in family activities, declining school grades and activities, change in appearance, and personal graffiti. The video emphasizes the destructive influence of gangs in drawing its members away from normative lifestyles, educational development, and the pursuit of career goals. Gangs tend to draw members toward dropping out of school or poor school performance, involvement in crime for financial gain, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Materials accompanying the video are designed to guide classroom discussion and home assignments.