As humans by nature, we are social creatures. We form groups and are part of several distinct groups throughout our lives. A very special group that plays one of the most important roles in our lives are our core groups, including our families and friends who participate in our daily lives. For young offenders who decide to join street gangs, gangs become their primary group because of the need to fill a void that they feel was missing in their lives. Typically, juveniles join gangs because of economic, cultural, and social influences, which provide them with money, power, excitement, and security. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay One of the biggest influences that push a juvenile to participate in delinquent behavior and later join street gangs is economic security. Juvenile gang members typically come from the lower classes, poverty, or broken homes in which parents do not have the time and sufficient attention to raise their children because they work multiple jobs to feed their family. Due to economic insecurity, these children face economic deprivation not only at home but also at school, so they have little engagement and educational aspirations when it comes to seeking an education. Cultural influences such as cultural norms that support gang activity, social relationships, and the presence of gang activity in neighborhoods also play an important role in influencing youth to join street gangs. Poor communities experience a high presence of gang activity because gangs provide protection from other rival gangs. They are therefore constantly accustomed to seeing gang violence and criminal activity in their neighborhoods. Many of these neighborhoods have families who have become invested in gang life and so their children are raised to take over when they are older, continuing the cycle of gang activity. Youth may also decide to participate in delinquent behaviors for their social status. Juveniles tend to commit crimes and engage in criminal activities in the company of other young people. The need to be respected in your neighborhood, prestige among your peers, and high commitment to other delinquent peers are important influences that youth consider when joining a street gang. When you don't know the process, you are sidelined, and for young people, not being part of a social group that has a big influence on their community provides excitement and security. is not a risk they decide to take. Keep in mind: This is just a sample.Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Get a custom essayThroughout history, we have always formed social groups due to influences economic, cultural and social. As teenagers, our families and friends are the most influential people in our lives. Sometimes we choose people who uplift us and change us for the better and sometimes we find those who engage in delinquent behavior and we choose to join them. Other times, life happens and we are forced to make decisions at a young age, and most of the time, they are not the right decisions. References Delaney, T. (2014). What is a street gang? In American Street.