Why do gangs tend to recruit younger individuals?

Gangs often recruit younger individuals primarily because these individuals receive less severe penalties when caught committing crimes. The legal system tends to treat juveniles more leniently than adults, resulting in lighter sentences for offenses. This perceived immunity from the harsh consequences of criminal behavior makes younger individuals more appealing to gangs, who may seek to expand their influence and engage in illegal activities without facing the full brunt of legal repercussions.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the reasons behind gang recruitment strategies. While younger individuals may be physically capable and full of energy, this does not directly relate to their role in criminal activities. Similarly, life experience is not a characteristic that typically attracts gangs to recruit younger members; rather, it is their vulnerability to coercion and manipulation. Finally, while networking skills are important in social contexts, younger individuals may not necessarily have better networking skills compared to older, more experienced individuals. Thus, the lower penalties associated with juvenile offenses remain the primary reason gangs focus their recruitment on younger people.