High Life A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Why Do So Many Teens Become Gang Members?

Whether it’s hanging out at the mall, cramming for a final exam or playing hoops after school, people enjoy activities better when they’re with their friends.

That goes for teen-agers who spend their free time spraying graffiti on freeway overpasses, harassing anybody they consider different and gang-banging.

Hot Topics asks, “In your opinion, why do teen-agers become gang members?”

“They don’t have the support, understanding and love that they need from their parents, so they look for it somewhere else.”

Monica Martinez, 14,

freshman, Santa Ana

“Because they think it’s cool, and the guys want to feel like they’re tough.”

Nicole Schmidt, 14,

freshman, La Habra

“Because they are too scared to be loners. Loners and others not in gangs tend to be victimized by gangs.”

John Naddour, 17,

senior, Mission Viejo

“To get attention and to be socially accepted.”

Lisa Kauffman, 16,

junior, El Modena

“It has a lot to do with self-esteem, yet all teen-agers have some amount of low self-esteem, so that can’t be a great fault. People join gangs because they are there to join.”

Margaret Slaven, 17,

senior, Rosary

“They’ve been pushed around all their life and haven’t been able to push back. Now they can and will.”

Jon Enge, 17,

senior, Mission Viejo

“Maybe for protection; if you live in a bad neighborhood, (you join a gang) so people don’t mess around with you.”

James Hwang, 15,

sophomore, University

“Because they’re stupid--it’s stupid to fight over part of a city--and because of family problems.”

Carla Obando, 15,

sophomore, Troy

“Because they lack self-confidence and in some cases just want to feel important and powerful. Most are looking for any acceptance they can get.”

Scott Stanko, 18,

senior, University

“Because their families are having problems and they need friends to support them.”

Brandon Koslosky, 14,

freshman, Troy

“Boredom. They have nothing better to do with their time, and they need to fit in and have friends.”

Kristy Maresuk, 18,

senior, Mission Viejo

“It gives them something to belong to.”

Julia Beak, 17,

senior, El Modena

“They want to feel important and be accepted, and (because of) peer pressure.”

Diana Billarial, 14,

freshman, Santa Ana

“It has a lot to do with the family life and their self-esteem. When they don’t feel good about themselves and (are) not accepted by their peers, they tend to break off in revenge, and a gang is formed by others who also feel they aren’t accepted by society. When one’s family doesn’t demonstrate values and discipline, a child may feel his family doesn’t care, so he has to do something to get attention.”

Angela Norgaurd, 17,

senior, Rosary

“It gives people self-confidence, acceptance and status.”

Tom Bernard, 17,

junior, University

“Because they want backup, and they (want to) know where they belong.”

Angela Davis, 15,

freshman, La Habra

“So they have a sense of protection.”

Zachary Sifuentes, 16,

sophomore, Troy

“Because they are insecure and have no mental capacity at all.”

Brian Walker, 15,

sophomore, Mission Viejo

“So they will be socially accepted by their peers.”

Ryan Lieberman, 17,

junior, El Modena

“They need to feel like they belong.”

Marie Antoinette Brothers, 15,

sophomore, Santa Ana

“Because they want to feel important or just because they’re having problems at home and need to get away. I haven’t quite understood why they use violence.”

Tina Lomeli, 14,

freshman, Rosary

“It takes the place of a deficient family; it gives them a feeling of belonging.”

Steven Carey, 16,

junior, University

“Because they have nothing else to do with their time.”

Melinda Callaway, 14,

freshman, La Habra

“Because they come from families that are battered and distressed.”

Scott Ramey, 18,

senior, Troy

“People join gangs to belong and to be part of something.”

Ryan Sprucen, 16,

junior, University

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

If you could trade in your parents for one day, who would you want as replacements?

Responses gathered by Lauren Walden (El Modena), Elaine Ust (La Habra), Gavin Roy (Mission Viejo), Asra Hashmy (Rosary), James Christ (Santa Ana), Layne Mosler (Troy) and Claudine Ko (University).