Gangs of teenagers often group together for protection and as a way of avoiding trouble, according to a new report.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said while groups of teenagers "hanging out" may look intimidating, their purpose is often to look out for each other.
The study focused on families in four Glasgow neighbourhoods.
It praised parents for protecting their children from danger and having high aspirations for their future while living in socially deprived areas.
The report found youths "pooled their detailed local knowledge" to avoid hazards, including violence from organised gangs and aggression from adults.
"Parents had high aspirations for their children, wanting them to have better opportunities in life than they had experienced"
Teenagers were found to take responsibility for keeping themselves and friends safe.
Professor Malcolm Hill, director of the Glasgow Centre for the Child and Society, led the research.
He said: "We were impressed by the positive part that young people's peer groups played in helping them to stay safe.
"Young people themselves recognised that sticking together in groups could appear threatening to some adults.
"Both parents and children were keenly aware of risks within their communities and the young people had often become experts in avoiding potential trouble."
The study combined questionnaire surveys with in-depth interviews.
Minimise danger
It found that parents and children also found positive aspects within their communities.
This was despite high levels of unemployment, low income and drug misuse.
It also highlighted a commitment among parents to keep children safe.
Peter Seaman, co-author of the report, said: "There is a widespread view that anti-social and delinquent behaviour by young people can simply be blamed on bad parenting.
"Yet the parents we interviewed described sophisticated strategies to minimise their children's exposure to danger and to guard them against temptations to go off the rails.
"They also had high aspirations for their children, wanting them to have better opportunities in life than they had experienced."
The report calls on schools and policy makers to build on the report.
It comes after Strathclyde Police launched a crackdown on gangs in the south side of Glasgow.
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