I can honestly say that if you think that your at the worst point in your life right now, you have no idea what is in store for you if you join a gang. I'm sure that your friend, and many others that are encouraging you (Including the media, Music industry, and movies) make it sound like a pretty great alternative, but the reality is a different situation altogether.
Upon joining you can expect to get "Beaten in" which is going to be a heck of alot more than one hard blow to the chest. God forbid you ever want to leave, because most people don't make it out on their own two feet.
Add in the fact that you'll be a parasite to the community, most likely a criminal, probably a murderer before your 20th birthday. Every criminal act you or the other members do will be falsly justified by the notion that you are protecting your people, and looking out for your own. In reality, every action you take in a gang will slowly bring your community further and further down. Every time you see a 90 pound junkie shaking on a street corner you'll be able to say "I helped make that man what he is."
And God forbid something should happen to you such as getting shot in the back by a driveby. How does the concept of being one of those 40 year old guys in wheel chairs sitting on a street corner grab you? you'll be no use to the gang, nobody will hire you, can't have sex, not that any girl would want you at that point.
Life isn't really like a music video, no matter what people tell you. Just because everyone will sit around drinking and getting high all the time doesn't actually mean that they are happy. Underneath they are still feeling as miserable underneath, no matter how big of a smile they are able to screw on after a dozen or so drinks. Is that really what you want out of life?
The "Live fast and die youg" mentality is diffcult to resist, especially when you are young, but let me tell you that the best times you'll ever have are when you grow up, and have a job, and a normal life.
My advice to you is to ask your friend to stop pressuring you into joining the gang. Tell him you'll still be his friend, only you want different things. With every ounce of your being fight the urge to give into the pressure of joining, and see how strong your friendship is. If he lets you be your own person you win. If he tosses you aside, you'll know what kind of friend he really was, and you'll still win.
Go down to a boys club, or a YMCA and learn a sport. If you don't graduate high school get a GED. Go to community college(Which will take anyone with a HS diploma) (If you think the gang life had girls, you have no idea whats waiting at colleges...
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