Youth with two or three risk factors are three times more likely to join a gang. The more risk factors, the greater chances of students joining a gang.
* Students without strong attachments to their neighborhood and neighbors.
* Students without a solid family structure. A non-family member living with a single parent increases the risk of students joining gangs five-fold.
* Parental attitudes favoring violence.
* Early exposure to violence in the home.
* If a house is a mess, the family is a mess.
* Students with academic problems, because of a learning disability or other factors.
* Students who don't fit in with their peers.
* Students with few achievements.
* Early marijuana use.
* Early alcohol use.
* Students having trouble saying "No."
<1b>— Source: Dave Carver, coordinator for Gang Response and Intervention Team (GRIT)