The importance and almost need as a teenager to fit in is a constant struggle that causes emotional scarring, and tears but eventually the joy that true friends have to offer. People who share your same interests, enjoy your company as you enjoy their's and the bond that grows to a point where they become almost closer then family. Whether it be found through involvement in school, city or church sponsored clubs or sports. These clubs not only lead to the developments of new friendships often with kids your age, obviously with some of the same interests, but also good kids. Teenagers that are looking to make something of themselves by investing their time wisely not spending doing drugs of other acts of crime that put not only themselves but others in danger. These clubs not only benefit oneself now, but influence your future college acceptance and eventually your career. Involvement in school and community shows a well rounded person, someone who cares not only about themselves but others around them, something colleges today are beginning to look at on top of test scores and grades.
However, the bond of friendship is not always made with the right people.
Those who often are not involved in constructive time activities such as clubs are contributing to the growth of teen participation in street crime. Ninety-eight percent of which is performed by street gangs. The common misconception that brings teens into a gang is that these "gang members" care for them and can give them the joy friendship is supposed to provide. However, these teens are only looking to bring more people down with them. Just one more person to die with them right? In fact, violence between gangs is so common, that gang members are at least 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population. And the harsh reality that not many realize what mistake they have made and wish to change their lives, until it is too late. If a new gang member does actually live long enough to realize they are too far in and have no way to get out. They have excepted a life of crime, a life that many want to one day leave behind but his/ her "friends" do not let him/ her go that easy. They often are threatened, beat, and on occasion killed. This life as a "Gang member" is not one to live and depending on the severity of the gang the only way out is at times death.
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