"Caught in the web": Difficulties in gang desistance.

Abstract

The presence of gangs poses a significant social problem due to their prevalence and the disproportionate contribution of gang members in crime and delinquency. Past research on gang desistance substantially covers the motivation for leaving gangs but limited research has been done to account for gang members who intend to desist from the gang and yet, were restricted. Hence, this review serves to provide an understanding of the potential barriers experienced by desisting gang members that may hinder the process of gang desistance. Six barriers were highlighted – (1) exit rituals, (2) gang embeddedness and lingering ties, (3) individual differences, (4) labeling, (5) employment, and (6) marriage. With the exception of exit rituals, research findings suggest that all barriers have a significant effect in hindering the process of gang desistance. Furthermore, the role played by human agency in influencing the process of gang desistance was also examined. A hypothetical case was presented to illustrate the interactive effect of human agency and the potential barriers in determining the outcome of gang desistance. In conclusion, it was found that interactions between the barriers and varying degree of human agency displayed determines whether the gang member experience true or intermittent desistance from gang.