The participants were enrolled at Starr Commonwealth School. They had an average age of 16.2 years and included 4 whites, 4 blacks, and 2 Hispanics. All were gang members before they entered Starr Commonwealth. They were surveyed individually, assured of confidentiality and anonymity, and asked to write down all the reasons they joined their respective gangs when they were out in the community. Raters who were blind to the hypotheses examined the participants' responses and listed the motives and reasons. Results revealed that the four reasons most cited for joining a gang included (1) a second or surrogate family, (2) power, (3) acceptance, and (4) excitement/fun. Contrary to expectations, few participants stated that peer pressure or influence had a role in their decision to join a gang; instead, a desire for a close, familial relationship and for acceptance from other gang members seemed to be the primary reasons that these young men entered gangs. 14 references (Author abstract modified)