The boys, along with four adults with whom they had regular conversations, were classified as black gang, black lower class, black middle class, white gang, white lower class, or white middle class. The 146 adults included in the study were interviewed. The results showed that, in middle class communities, more of the adults were chosen by the boys through their parents' peers, while in lower class areas, the adults were more often the children's caretakers, or adults known through formal settings including school or church. Adults chosen by gang members were usually not caretakers and came from a lower socioeconomic status. 11 tables and 23 notes