Question

analyzing risk factors
most youths who join gangs have already been involved in delinquency and drug use. once in the gang, they are quite likely to become more actively involved in delinquency, drug use, and violence—and they are more likely to be victimized themselves. . . .
gang involvement dramatically alters youngsters’ life chances—particularly if they remain active in the gang for several years. . . . the gang acts as “a powerful social network” in constraining the behavior of members, limiting access to prosocial networks, and cutting individuals off from conventional pursuits. these effects . . . bring disorder to the life course in a cascading series of difficulties, including school dropout, early pregnancy or early impregnation, teen motherhood, and unstable employment.
—“the impact of gangs on communities,”
james c. howell
which are risk factors for gang involvement? check all that apply.
☐ being interested in school
☐ using drugs
☐ having a network of friends and family
☐ skipping school
☐ being arrested

Explanation:

• "being interested in school" is a prosocial behavior, not a risk factor.
• "using drugs" is stated in the text as something most gang - joining youths were already involved in, so it's a risk factor.
• "having a network of friends and family" is a protective factor, not a risk factor.
• "skipping school" is related to school disengagement, which is associated with gang involvement as per the text (mentions school dropout as an effect).
• "being arrested" is a sign of delinquency, and the text says most youths who join gangs were involved in delinquency, so it's a risk factor.

Answer:

• using drugs
• skipping school
• being arrested