Girls and Women in Gangs

Belknap, Joanne; Bowers, M. Scott

doi:10.1002/9781118303092.ch12

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In South Africa, and even globally, women tend to be viewed as either the victims of, or accessories to crime (Dziewanski, 2020). Women may use their position within the gang as a response to intersectional oppression and as a means to empower themselves through protection, status, income and so on, as seen in US studies (Belknap and Bowers, 2016). Yet, this also catapults them into a space of victimization and abuse that leaves them stuck with the life playing out on the streets (Dziewanski, 2020).…”

Section: Women Living In Gang Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Going home to the gangsters: a preliminary study on the potential link between reintegration support and recidivism amongst female offenders

Thornton

2023

JCRPP

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Purpose As the subject of female criminology in South Africa has only recently been dealt with in a qualitative manner, this paper aims to explore if there is a potential link between rehabilitation, reintegration support and recidivism as females are often placed back into the environment which prompted their criminal behaviour, further excluding them from rehabilitative reform, which might lead them to recidivate. Design/methodology/approach The research adopted a qualitative approach using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with six participants that were chosen purposively. Findings The paper notes a potential link between rehabilitation, reintegration support and recidivism as the female prisoners are imprinted with criminal dispositions since rehabilitation within the correctional facility has no implementation process to ensure that restoration can continue after they have been released. Research limitations/implications Due to the limited number of the incarcerated female population and the scope of the preliminary study, the sample comprised of only six female offenders. As such, it contributes to the larger discourse of female criminality, but does not offer any recommendations. Practical implications Provides an understanding of the conditions in which the females are released. Allows for the inclusion of the female’s voice on, and reflection of, rehabilitation and recidivism. Notes a link between rehabilitation, reintegration and recidivism. Creates a pathway for further research in the exploration of a gendered reform approach. Originality/value While the subject of female criminology in South Africa has only recently been dealt with in a qualitative manner, this study offers an insight into how females who offend are often placed back into the environment which prompted their criminal behaviour.

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Section: Women Living In Gang Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Going home to the gangsters: a preliminary study on the potential link between reintegration support and recidivism amongst female offenders

Thornton

2023

JCRPP

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“…Research on gang involvement has also taken up the issue of sex composition, in investigations of the impact of the sex ratio within gangs and its relationship to risk of violence and other behaviors such as drug use (for a more general review of the literature on girls and women in gangs, see Belknap & Bowers 2016). Studies of girls’ gang affiliations are particularly important, as ample research has demonstrated that in general being in a gang increases risks for violence exposure, both as a perpetrator and as a victim (Katz et al 2011; Miller 2001; Papachristos et al 2015).…”

Section: Peersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Girls’ and Women’s Violence: The Question of General Versus Uniquely Gendered Causes

Giordano

Copp

2019

Annu. Rev. Criminol.

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In this review, we consider theory and research focused on girls’ and women’s violence, with an emphasis on studies that inform long-running debates about whether uniquely gendered explanations are required to understand such behaviors. The review emphasizes potentially malleable social processes and influences, and studies that have explored neighborhood, family, and peer-based sources of risk. We also examine contemporary research on precursors of a specific type of aggression—intimate partner violence —where self-reports of perpetration have been found to be similar across gender, but research has consistently shown that the consequences are generally more serious for female victims. Our review draws on findings from analyses of large scale survey data as well as qualitative approaches that explore meanings and motivations. The results point to significant areas of overlap as well as some distinctive patterns by gender, support learning and intersectionality theories, and identify potentially fruitful areas for additional research.

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“…More commonly, girls become affiliated with street gangs through their everyday association with boys and men (e.g., boyfriends, brothers, cousins) [21,22]. The gender dynamics of gangs place girls at high risk for gendered violent victimization, such as physical assault with injury and sexual assault victimization [22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. How is this context of violence associated with HIV-related risk for girls and women?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Syndemic Profiles for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Sextually Transmitted Infections Among Mexican American Women Formerly Affiliated with Youth Street Gangs

2022

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We examine syndemic profiles of intimate partner violence, mental health, drug use, incarceration, and infectious diseases (HIV, HCV, and STIs) among a sample of adult Mexican American women who were affiliated with youth street gangs during adolescence through their relationships to boys and men. Latent class analysis included multiple factors along the following dimensions: intimate partner violence, drug use, mental illness, and incarceration. Five unique syndemic profiles were found with varying associations to HIV, HCV, and STI: (1) no syndemic, (2) intimate partner violence, no syndemic, (3) drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic, (4) intimate partner violence, drug use (without injection drug use), and mental health syndemic, and (5) intimate partner violence, drug use with injection drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic. To successfully prevent HIV, HCV, and STI among gang-involved girls and women, it is necessary to address syndemic factors.

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Girls and Women in Gangs

Cited by 7 publications

References 26 publications

Going home to the gangsters: a preliminary study on the potential link between reintegration support and recidivism amongst female offenders

Going home to the gangsters: a preliminary study on the potential link between reintegration support and recidivism amongst female offenders

Girls’ and Women’s Violence: The Question of General Versus Uniquely Gendered Causes

Syndemic Profiles for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Sextually Transmitted Infections Among Mexican American Women Formerly Affiliated with Youth Street Gangs

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