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Disengagement From Gangs as Role Transitions
Author(s) -
Decker Scott H.,
Pyrooz David C.,
Moule Richard K.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of research on adolescence
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.342
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1532-7795
pISSN - 1050-8392
DOI - 10.1111/jora.12074
Subject(s) - disengagement theory , psychology , perspective (graphical) , criminology , social psychology , gerontology , medicine , artificial intelligence , computer science
Most research has focused on the onset and consequences of gang membership, neglecting the importance of leaving the gang. Disengagement from gangs often occurs during the transition to adulthood, a critical period of the life course. While leaving gangs has received growing attention over the past decade, absent from this research has been a suitable theoretical perspective with which to frame disengagement. This study drew on Ebaugh's theory of role exit to examine disengagement among 260 former gang members. We find disengagement to be a drawn‐out process, replete with many failures and obstacles. We conclude with a discussion of these implications for practitioners, policymakers, and future research.