Title: Understanding The Motivation: Why Do People Join Gangs | BetterHelp
Headings: Understanding The Motivation: Why Do People Join Gangs
Understanding The Motivation: Why Do People Join Gangs
The Need to Belong
The Need to Feel Loved
Children Face Stress When Seeking to Belong
Human Needs & Gangs
People Join Gangs Because….
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Content: The Hierarchy as proposed by Maslow indicates that individuals may be at an increased risk for joinging gangs when their basic needs are not met. Gangs, if the needs are not met, will meet them. Gangs create a sense of camaraderie which can provide a sense of safety for some at risk youth. Some children and adolescents who have been cast out of their families of origin or those who are runaways need to belong somewhere and gangs provide that sense of love and belonging. Although poverty and single parent families increase the risk for gang involvement among youth, there are preventative actions that can be incorporated in the lives of children. Some parents must work long hours and may not always be able to supervise their children, but establishing routines and family traditions and quality family time can increase the sense of belonging. Certain habits and values can provide avenues of communication with a child or adolescent and parents are directly tied to their children through communication. It's an established pattern that if a parent or family member is in a gang, it often leads the child to joining the same, as they are exposed to the social ties to  (of) the gang at home. BetterHelp is an online resource aimed at providing accessible and affordable access to mental health care or counseling. Speaking with a therapist can be a good way to better understand your situation while working to introduce healthier habits.