Browsing by Author "Muller, Imanuella"

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    The recruitment and initiation of girls into gangs in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Muller, Imanuella; Naidoo, Anthony V.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Gangsterism is a worldwide phenomenon with serious consequences for community well-being. Locally in the Western Cape, South Africa, gangs present a complex phenomenon which impairs community functioning and hampers community development. Young girls and women have been largely absent and voiceless in gang research and this thesis sought to give a sample of women the chance to tell the stories of their direct experiences within gang culture. Particularly, the thesis sought to examine how young girls and women in the Western Cape are recruited and initiated into gangs. The thesis also aimed to find out from the research participants what their suggestions are for prevention and intervention efforts for young girls at risk to gang involvement, and for women who are or have already been involved with gangs, wanting to start a new life. Secondary research aims included learning more about the roles of females in gangs, their motivations for gang membership, and what benefits came from their time in the gang culture. The study adopted a community psychology framework and a feminist perspective in examining the research topic, analysing the data, and reporting on the research findings. A qualitative, Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) methodology was deemed appropriate, given the research aims and the context in which the research was initiated and implemented. The research formed part of a pilot project which emerged as a collaboration between numerous international and local organisations. Qualitative data collected via individual interviews were transcribed and analysed using a manual thematic analysis of the data. The findings of the study are presented deductively in the following themes: 1) Gang recruitment; 2) Gang initiation; 3) Prevention and intervention; 4) Benefits of gang membership; 5) Gang culture, and 6) Gang exit. The findings showed that various active and passive recruitment methods are used to recruit young girls and women into gangs; the most common reported being a romantic connection between young girls and women with a male gang member and the lure of drugs and alcohol offered in gang spaces. While no specific initiation rituals were reported, it was evident that there is a need for the new member to prove her loyalty to a gang in order to earn and secure their trust, and this can be done in numerous ways. Findings revealed that the most critical factors to consider in prevention and intervention efforts, from the point of view of the research participants, include sustained post-intervention support, employment, recreational activities for young girls, and tools for navigating life in gang plagued communities. This indicates a need for a holistic response to the multiple needs of young girls at risk to gang involvement and women who have left, or are wanting to exit a gang.