Gangs offer protection for its members. Gangs provide money to members who do not get it from home. The gang will provide shelter for members who run away from home. Gangs keep members from dealing with family problems. Members gain respect based on how many criminal acts they perform.
Members gain additional respect and popularity based on the power of the gang in the community.
Members social lives are planned around gang activity. Peer pressure forces members to participate in criminal activities in order for members to maintain the reputation as being part of that gang. Use of hand signals to communicate with other youths. The youth will usually lie about their activities or where they have been. Friends refer to the youth by an unusual nickname the youth will not explain.