High Life : A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Gangs Are Seen as Family Surrogates

The possibilities of arrest, prison time or even death by violence are evidently not enough to stop youths from joining gangs throughout Southern California. Hot Topics asks, “Why do teen-agers become gang members?”

“Because they want to feel like they’re a part of something.” Amanda Pendley, 16, junior, Laguna Hills

“Peer pressure.” Tara Ohr, 17, senior, Edison High School

“Maybe they have family problems, like divorced parents or parents who do drugs.” Kim Hill, 14, freshman, Trabuco Hills

“Because they don’t know Jesus.” Melissa Setum, 16, senior, Irvine

“It’s like a second family if they don’t have a good family life at home.” Autumn Topete, 16, junior, Edison

“If their families don’t really care about them, the gang becomes their family. The gang members care more than their own family.” Beath Hiber, 16, junior, Ocean View

“To fit in.” Ciara Lindahl, 15, sophomore, Dana Hills

“They want to fit in, and they want to look cool, but I think it’s stupid.” Dean Tompkins, 14, freshman, Costa Mesa

“Certain people they hang out with might be in a bad crowd. Also because of the hatred going on in the world today.” Alisa Sanchez, 14, sophomore, Trabuco Hills

“To protect them from other gang members.” Mike Beaman, 16, junior, Laguna Hills

“Because their families are so screwed up; it’s sort of a social structure they fit in with.” Ally Nigorizawa, 15, junior, Calvary Chapel

“That’s what is socially acceptable, and they have no other choice. Some are drawn in by brothers and sisters.” Sharla Meeks, 16, junior, Calvary Chapel

“It’s an easy, trendy thing to do. It’s trendy to be angry and mad at society. Some of it may be legitimate, but some of it is not.” Maile Kahaunaele, 16, junior, Ocean View

“To be cool, because other people will look at you and they’ll be scared.” Jason Sadler, 16, junior, Trabuco Hills

“The older, ‘big’ people tell them to.” Sarah Clarke, 14, sophomore, Edison

“So they will look cool in front of others. They think they’re all buff.” Jessica Harris, 15, sophomore, Estancia

Next Week’s Hot Topic: If you were to describe yourself as a celebrity, who would it be? Why?