YOUTHS IN GANGS ON THE CAPE FLATS: IF NOT IN GANGS, THEN WHAT?

Abstract

Youths in gangs on the Cape Flats have been reported to be a major and ongoing concern. It is therefore necessary to explore what prompts youths not to join gangs, or to exit gangs. This article is based on a secondary analysis of data that focused on the perceptions of youths in the Cape Flats of the reasons for youths joining gangs. The findings point to individual, family and environmental contributing influences. The discussion is concluded with some recommendations for interventions aimed at providing youths with alternatives to prevent them from joining gangs, or to assist them to exit gangs.

Keywords

• cape flats
• environmental influences
• family influences
• gangs
• youth
• individual influences