NCJ Number
233449
Date Published
July 2009
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed data from national, State, and local youth surveys and drew on the results of previous gang research in presenting an overview of youth gangs, including a summary of risk factors for gang membership and selected characteristics of gang-involved youth.
Abstract
Nationwide, 5 percent of youth report gang involvement, with California having the highest level of self-reported gang involvement at 8 percent. National data indicate that the racial/ethnic groups most affected by gang involvement are American Indians (15 percent), Hispanics (8 percent), and African-Americans (6 percent). These are generally the most impacted racial/ethnic groups in California as well. Regarding family characteristics, gang-involved youth are more likely to have a parent who receives public assistance, and are less likely to live with a biological parent. Although studies have indicated that a key reason youth join gang is for safety or protection, other data show that gang members are more likely to be victimized than nongang youth. At all levels of the data analyzed for this study, gang-involved youth tended to be less engaged in school compared to their nongang peers. Regarding social interactions and community activities outside of school, gang members are less likely to have supportive adult relationships outside of home or school, and gang members in California are less likely than nongang peers to participate in community activities. All of the data on delinquency and violence indicate that gang-involved youth typically engage in higher levels of delinquency and violence than their nongang peers. The study advises that there is no one strategy or approach proven to reduce or prevent youths' involvement in gangs. The most successful approaches are likely to combine elements of prevention, intervention, and suppression, based on a particular community's needs. 4 tables, 6 figures, and 18 references