ABSTRACT
The question of why criminal organizations come into existence and why they attract certain types of individuals has been the topic of various theories in criminology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. These attempt generally to explain the motives behind why some youths join gangs, not why the gangs exist in the first place, which is discussed in Chapter 17. This chapter will deal with the major theories that focus on the psychological and social factors that might explain why some individuals join gangs. Some of these include the influence of criminals on young people, poverty, upbringing, and urban overcrowding. Another reason is that gangsterism might be perceived as exciting, a form of escape from boredom and routine.
