Family Quote by Meda Chesney-Lind
“The girls go to the gang in order to get protection from victimization that's occurring in their lives. And also it's a place to be, because they're often rejected from and rejecting their families.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Girls, Gangs, and Crime by Meda Chesney-Lind, 1995
Young women join gangs seeking safety and belonging when they feel unsafe or unwelcome at home and in society.
In simple terms: Girls join gangs for protection and acceptance.
Key Takeaway
Seek supportive communities outside gangs.
Themes
safety
belonging
family
gender
violence
Mood
troubled
hopeful
Type
sociological
advocacy
When to use this quote
- runaway teens
- school bullying
- community programs
- family counseling
Key Concepts
Social exclusion
risk coping
identity formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can society provide safer alternatives?
- What role does family rejection play?
A Different Perspective
Gangs may expose members to greater danger and legal risks.
![“The gang may be a safer place than home, but it's not without its problems. In some instances, especially in the Latino community, the boys have very traditional views of femininity even though they are gang members. The girls can be [seen] as sexually available, but not the good girl that you…” quote by Meda Chesney-Lind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/423/meda-chesney-lind-35325_available_the-gang-may-be-a-safer-place-than-home_227871.jpg)
