Gangs actively recruit youngsters age 15 and younger to carry out risky assignments or carry the weapons or drugs. Females are also recruited and influenced into similar activities. The profile of a typical gang member is a male school dropout or truant, who is unemployed or has no employable skills. The gang member is usually in trouble with the police and does not receive adequate family attention. The gang provides identity and status and, in return, the member develops a fierce loyalty to the gang and nation.
Loyalty is demanded in every aspect of the gang philosophy.
The gang founders and past and present leaders are glorified in many of these oaths and rituals. They lack direction, and may initially find intrigue and camaraderie from the gang. Leaders and hard-core members are often very threatening and easy to identify. Marginal members, on the other hand, are very difficult for the average adult to detect because they do not exhibit the typical gang demeanor. Often these individuals are no more than sympathizers or wanna-bes who are not committed to the gang mentality.