The gang-involved youth is looked up to and is constantly receiving approval from his peers. In the gang lifestyle, an ability to collaborate with kids of the same color, same neighborhood and tradition is very special and is quite attractive to Latino youths. Mixing gang doctrine with Latino culture can be very destructive. Many individuals who are involved in gangs have adopted a lifestyle of their own. In a family that distorts or misrepresents its own culture, they may also distort or misrepresent racism.
Parents frequently view child offenders as victimized by race.
Judges and law enforcement officers are viewed as racist. Parents will minimize crimes committed by adolescents. Parents do this in order to keep control of the child. Parents often fear not having the child home. Latinos have a need to keep the family together.