This book provides a compendium of viewpoints, both pro and con, on several issues relating to the prevalence of gangs in American society. Across four chapters, readers will evaluate whether gangs are widespread, what factors may drive people into gangs, what steps to prevention should be, and what the impact of gangs on society is. Essayist Eloisa Ruano Gonzalez explains that girl gang memberships is on the rise, while Joan Smith debates that this is exaggerated. Nicholas V. Lampson claims that gangs often traffic in drugs, while Trevor Bennett and Katy Holloway emphatically state that not all gang members are involved in drugs. By presenting your readers with divergent viewpoints about these and other gang-related topics, you are activating their critical-thinking skills to develop their own well-rounded opinions.