Explain the five risk factors identified as causes of gang membership.
Risk factors identified as causes of gang membership
The five risk factors that have been identified as causes of gang membership are:
1) Social isolation and exclusion – young people who feel isolated from their peers and community are more likely to join gangs in order to find a sense of belonging.
2) Lack of positive role models – young people who do not have positive role models in their lives (such as a parent or guardian) are more likely to be attracted to the negative influence of gangs.
3) Low self-esteem – young people with low self-esteem are more likely to seek validation and acceptance from gangs.
4) Mental health issues – young people who suffer from mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety, etc.) are more vulnerable to being recruited into gangs.
5) Substance abuse – young people who abuse drugs and alcohol are more likely to be involved in gang activity. They may be attracted to the illegal activities associated with gangs, or they may join gangs in order to get access to drugs and alcohol.
These are just a few of the many risk factors that have been identified as causes of gang membership. It is important to remember that not all young people who are exposed to these risk factors will necessarily join gangs – there are many other factors (such as family support, positive peer groups, etc.) that can help protect young people from becoming involved in gangs. However, it is important to be aware of these risk factors so that we can better understand why some young people do become involved in gangs, and how we can prevent it from happening.
If you are concerned that a young person in your life may be at risk of joining a gang, there are some things you can do to help. Talk to them about their goals and aspirations, and help them find positive ways to achieve them. Encourage them to get involved in positive activities in their community, such as sports teams, clubs, or after-school programs. And most importantly, be there for them – let them know that you care about them and are here to support them through whatever challenges they may face.
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