Adult Consequences for Youth Gang Members

Rey Mayoral is an experienced educator and administrator, particularly at the high school level. His past positions range from bilingual and multicultural health teacher to athletic director of an East Los Angeles school. Over the course of his career, Rey Mayoral has received several honors, including recognition for his ability to eliminate gang influence and activities in schools.

The true impact of joining a youth gang is hard to fully gauge, but studies have determined that the consequences last far longer than an individual’s actual affiliation with the gang. A research project conducted by the University of Washington found that teenagers who spend time in a gang are considerably more likely to be incarcerated in their adult years. Former gang members are also more prone to accepting illegal forms of income and are less likely to have achieved a high school degree. More disadvantages for adults who spent time in a gang as a youth range from inferior health to elevated risk for substance abuse.