Narratives of Gang Disengagement Among Former Gang Members in South Africa

Abstract

Understanding gang disengagement is important for the development of effective interventions. This research sought to examine how former South African gang members understand their gang disengagement. Two rounds of life history interviews were conducted with 12 former gang members. Thematic narrative analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Findings revealed that personal agency was key to the participants’ disengagement, which included forming a purposive intention to change, committing to and maintaining this change, despite challenges faced, and taking personal responsibility for their pasts. It also involved actively drawing on protective resources—such as meaningful and practical support from loved ones—and prosocial identities available to them within their environments, thus illustrating how the disengagement process is an interaction between inner and outer resources. Therefore, it is imperative that gang-related interventions ensure that individuals have access to the kinds of resources that will support their disengagement.

Experience-Based Lessons From Males in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) on Factors That Protected Them From Becoming Involved in Gangsterism

“…Two of the participants specifically recalled how the birth of a child, whose upbringing they really wanted to be part of, also played a major role in their non-involvement in gangs. This is consistent with the findings of a study by Moloney, MacKenzie, Hunt and Joe-Laidle (2009:7), where participants referred to fatherhood as a 'turning point' in their lives and key to their rejection of a life of gangsterism and crime: Kelly and Ward (2017) found that fatherhood resulted in young males leaving the life of gangsterism for the sake of their children. Fatherhood supported them in leaving the gang life because it gave them a new-found sense of meaning and purpose; this is consistent with the study, stated above, by Moloney et al (2009).…”

Women Decision-Making and Responsibility-Taking of Criminal Lifestyle: The Israeli Case

“…A question arises as to whether women’s criminal behavior can be explained solely by viewing them as victims of circumstances? This is in light of the fact that many approaches and studies referred to male criminal behavior as a rational choice and highlights the need to take responsibility to begin rehabilitating processes (Charlopova et al, 2020; Kelly & Ward, 2020).…”