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14 August 2008

Lack of role models drives youth to gangs for support says report

The Prince's Trust research indicates that young people are forming "youth communities" in place of adult role models

This report, The culture of youth communities, reveal that:
  • 34% of young people surveyed did not have a parent who they considered to be a role model
  • 58% of young people claimed that finding a sense of identity was a key reason for joining a gang
  • 22% said young people were looking for role models in gangs
  • 55% cited friends and peers as role models
The research findings suggest that young people are creating their own "youth communities" and gangs in search of the influences that could once have been found in traditional communities.  All the threads that hold a community together - a common identity, role models, a sense of safety - were given by young people as motivations to join gangs.

The research was carried out by YouGov on behalf of The Prince's Trust. Total sample size was 1,754 14 to 25-year-olds across the UK. The survey was carried out online.

Read the Executive Summary of 'The culture of youth communities' here
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