This statement may miss or minimize the argument for / against participation in a gang, especially without the presence of a paternal figure in a person's life,

This statement may miss or minimize the argument for / against participation in a gang, especially without the presence of a paternal figure in a person's life, especially a young male's life ... who then becomes a father ... who then is removed from life due to decisions in circumstances ... whose child then grows up without a paternal figure, who then finds solace in a gang... who then... See the cycle? --- And then there's the argument for why gangs exist in the first place, or other small, localized militias providing protection and a place of belonging. "Just don't commit crimes, 4head" misses... a lot.