Ex-gang members who have become help-professionals : what influences their desistance from gang involvement and their career choice? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work in Social Work at Massey University, Auckland Campus, New Zealand
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Date
2016
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Massey University
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Abstract
The growing population and changing structure of New Zealand gangs have been
observed since the 1950s. Well-documented international and local research provides
ample information about the process of gang affiliation and gang desistance.
However, there is little specific knowledge generated nationally and internationally
about the phenomenon of redemption-self (Maruna, 2001), which refers to male excriminal
gang members taking part in generative exercises such as mentoring youth or
counselling substance users. The present study recognises the gap in the literature and
aims to develop a discussion and start a dialogue about the benefits of this littleappreciated
uncommon phenomenon. To provide deeper understanding of what
triggered and hindered ex-criminal gang members’ adoption of redemption-self, the
qualitative study design, located in the social constructionist framework has been
applied. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with six male formercriminal
gang members who have been working in the social service fields in New
Zealand for at least two years. Through the thematic analysis of the men’s stories four
primary themes emerged, which were organised into a thematic map. The primary
themes present a continuum that starts with the men’s negative childhood experiences
attributing to the later stage gang affiliation. The complicated, and often, zigzagged
path trajectory of gang desistance, which was triggered by internal changes and
external impacts, prepare the final theme’s essence - the adoption of redemption-self.
Alongside the advantages and benefits of having experience in both the gang and
conventional world when service provision is conducted, the difficulties of being
accepted into the field with past criminal-gang affiliation is discussed. The four
primary themes’ content provides the basis of this discussion. The conclusion of the
thesis draws on local and overseas programs and initiatives to formulate
recommendation for policies, educational initiatives and implications for future
research topics.
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Ex-gang members, Social workers, New Zealand, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Social work