Girl gangs are often misunderstood and overlooked compared to male gangs. While they make up a small percentage of overall gangs, female gang membership has increased in recent decades. Girls often join gangs due to learning disabilities, emotional disorders, school failure, lack of positive activities, and delinquent peers. They seek belonging, protection, status, and respect. Warning signs of girl gang involvement include poor academic performance, rebellious attitudes, and affiliation with known gang members. Prevention strategies focus on education, positive role models, and community involvement.

1. Girl Gangs
Lee-Ann Liles
264 Tween Materials
06.29.2012

2. Statistics:
• The average age of a female gang member is 24 years.
The average recruitment age for girl is 10.
• There are very few all girl gangs. Only 2% of all gangs are
female only.
• 65% of girls in jail have a psychological issue such as clinical
depression or generalized anxiety
• 26% of girls in jail have been in special education.
• 70% of girls in jail report having been sexually abused or
victimized as children
• Female gang members commit fewer crimes and violence:
Their incarcerations tend to be for drug use, larceny, petty
theft, status offenses or domestic issues (e.g. fights with
parents and runaway).

3. Definition of a Gang
• A group of adolescents who ban together for mutual
protection and profit.
• Must prove their loyalty by committing acts of theft or
violence.
• Claim control over territory or turf.
• Engage in violent or illegal acts individually or
collectively.

4. Factors that contribute to
girls joining gangs:
• Learning disabilities & emotional disorders.
• School failure and truancy.
• No involvement in positive activities outside of school.
• Friends and peers who are delinquent.
• Early involvement in petty theft and behavioral disorders in
grade school.
• Low Income.

5. Seeking Asylum
• Girls join gangs to:
• Feel a sense of family and belonging.
• For protection from other gangs and individuals.
• To gain status or respect in their communities or among
peers.

6. Location of Gangs
Gangs are more active in smaller cities and rural
counties. Every city in the U.S. with at least 250,000
people has gang activity.

7. Girl Gangs are often
Misunderstood
• Girl gangs are not a new phenomena but have been
overlooked for their male counterparts or have not been
taken seriously until recently.Their membership has been
documented since the 1800’s but has escalated to new
heights in the past 20 years.

8. Independent Entity
Girl gangs were once thought to be dependent on their
male counterparts, acting as “bait” for other gangs among
other purposes. They were recently found to be a separate
entity with the ability to gain their own status in the
community. Girls can organize their own gangs, display
masculine behavior, carry guns and commit violent and
illegal acts.

9. Disguise & Masking
Techniques:
• Girls in gangs make their gender more masculine
through male associated dress. ie. Dark clothing and
hoodies. They minimize their sexual attributes through
their dress, speech and behavior and become more
socially invisible in a gang.

10. Warning Signs:
• Sudden poor academic performance.
• Non-involvement with school.
• Using gang GRAFFITI on book covers, folders.
• Suddenly purchasing or wanting clothing all of one
color (especially blue or red).
• Wearing sagging pants down to the hips.
• Sudden change in friends.
• Developing sudden rebellious attitude with parents
and teachers.
• Starting to show signs of tobacco, alcohol or drug
use.
• Having friends who use tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
• Sudden affluence (money, clothing, etc.)
• Sudden negative police contact.
• Excessive disciplinary referrals.

11. Prevention Techniques for
Parents and Teachers:
• Teach kids early about gangs.
• Listen to them.
• Allow kids time with positive role models.
• Invite motivational speakers to their school.
• Focus on their attributes and skills.
• Talk to them about staying on track and their future
goals.
• Steer them to programs where they can help out in the
community.
• Be a positive example yourself.

12. Recommendations
Big Brothers and Big Sisters. (2012). Children and gangs info training. Retrieved
from:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CF
gQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbbs.org%2Fatf%2Fcf%2F%257B75B46C4
8-D5A9-4901-BBE1-
DBBF375A1D96%257D%2FChildren%2520and%2520Gangs%2520info%2520Tr
aining.ppt&ei=6rntT72fOejN6QGZ_KibCg&usg=AFQjCNGxSelM4LdXzM4pcRS8
mb4u1LMFgQ&sig2=srcim_cTIMlAotTVV0N-MA
Gangs and at risk kids. (2010). Retrieved from:
http://www.gangsandkids.com/gstats.html
Friedman, L. (2010). The descriptive essay: Gangs. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Johnson, J. (2008). Bullies and gangs. Mankato: Stargazer Books.