IntroductionThroughout Canada, the issue of youth gangs has become an important issue not only for members of the authority, but for the justice system. Youth gang activity, which can be defined as when there is direct or indirect involvement in gang-related crimes or incidents, occurs in nearly every province or territory in Canada, especially in urban areas, but is increasing in others areas. In Canada there are 434 youth gangs with approximately 7,000 members in total (in lecture notes). Youth gangs not only exist in Canada, but they also exist in other countries around the world. There is some controversy over the definition of the term "youth gang", but there is a general definition of the term. A youth gang can be defined as a “self-formed group of people who engage in anti-social and/or profit-making criminal activity” (from class notes). Youth gangs operate within a given community and cause a sense of fear and intimidation in others. Who are the members of youth gangs? Youth gang members come from different backgrounds. They come from different geographical, ethnic, demographic and socio-economic backgrounds (class notes). Most young people who are already gang members or at risk of gang membership usually come from groups that struggle with a high level of inequality and lack many things socially. Young people of Aboriginal origin are more likely to be recruited into a gang and involved in organized crime than non-Aboriginal young people. Twenty-one percent of all youth gang members in Canada belong to First Nations, and the majority of them come from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Young people involved in gangs are likely to use drugs and already take part in serious or violent crimes. Who is at risk of gang affiliation? There are many... middle of paper... who have sexually transmitted diseases and infections, risk being beaten by the leader or other members of the group, as well as being arrested. http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/Teens/InfoBooth/Violence-and-Abuse/Gangs/Girls-in-Gangs.aspx. Males in gangs are commonly abused, neglected, discriminated against, and suffer from racism at some point in their lives. The majority of youth gang members, 24 percent, are African American. http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/gngs-cnd/index-eng.aspx. Some male gang members are minority or recent immigrants to the country or to certain areas of the country. They often lack another male figure to look up to and have as a positive role model, and they associate with other delinquent peers. They feel like they are not recognized by others and think they don't fit in with the majority of people.