Abstract
Street gangs are problematic throughout the world. Youth involved with street gangs are at a higher risk for winding up seriously physically injured, dead, or incarcerated. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine (a) how the childhood experiences of former gang members shape their decision to join a gang and (b) the factors that contribute to former gang members’ decision to disengage from gang membership. This study will promote the use of attachment theory to analyze motivating/disengagement factors for gang involvement. The voices of 14 former gang members are heard through qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify the following themes: Lack of Family Consistency, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Unity: Gang as Replacement Family, “No other Option,” and “Jail, Death, or a Turnaround:” Making the Decision to Disengage. Findings could be used to aid in youth gang prevention and intervention.
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