Along with the many different definitions of a street gang, there are just as many definitions of the membership levels within these criminal organizations. Anyone who has had interaction with gang members has heard the coined descriptions ranging from wannabe to hardcore.
Most gang members eagerly proclaim their gang membership while there are those who adamantly deny their criminal affiliation to their parents, school officials and local law enforcement officers. Some gang members may be full-time college students or may be employed and only participate in gang activity at night. As a result of some gang member's secrecy, most parents have little suspicion of the criminal activity their child may be involved in. There are many gang members who live a double lifestyle.
The following stages are generalizations of the most commonly known steps a youth may go through as they climb the gang membership ladder. It is important to remember that anytime generalizations are made there are always a few counterexamples.