Theyare assumed by a member who demonstrates or asserts dominant control at a particulartime. His leadership may continue for the particular incident or a limited time thereafter. With smaller gangs, however, it is more likely that a single individual will become arecognized leader. Cliques and sets Many gangs are subdivided into sets or cliques. A clique or set will usually have its ownname.
Sets usually apply to black gangs and cliques to Hispanic gangs.
There are variety of reasons, including the excitement of gang activity, peer pressure,attention, protection, financial benefit, family tradition, and lack of realization of thehazards involved. In many cases, young people are not actively discouraged from ganginvolvement by their parents. Often, parents don't realize that their children are engaged ingang activity. Effects of gang involvement Gang membership extracts a terrible toll from the Lives of all who contact the members. Non-gang member friends are cast aside and soon the youth's only friends are gangmembers.