It is thought that increased delinquency among gang members is due to gang membership or their association with delinquent friends and criminal/deviant family members. This study examined the extent to which gang membership contributes to delinquency above and beyond having delinquent friends and criminal family members. The study compared three groups of adolescents: (1) adolescent gang members with delinquent friends and criminal family members, (2) non-gang adolescents with delinquent friends but not criminal family members, and (3) non-gang adolescents with no delinquent friends or criminal family members. Participants of the study consisted of 91 adolescents apprehended for gang-related criminal activities. The results indicate that family criminality and/or delinquent friends augment individual gang members’ gang and criminal activities, suggesting a role for public policy. The results also suggest that parents of youth who are in gangs should be provided with information and offered seminars. References