Going Legit: An Exploration of Formerly Gang Involved Asians

Abstract

While the entering of a gang has been extensively researched, the exit of one is given little attention. In addition research examining the participation by Asians is scarce. This study utilized interviews to explore how Asians defined, entered, and exited gang involvement. Gang membership was defined in terms of Asian ethnicity, based on the media narratives that portrayed them as the primary offenders in Alberta. Membership was also defined by utilization of tattoos and participation in criminal activities (i.e. drug dealing). Asians in this study were attracted to gangs due the pull factors of financial and social autonomy, which in turn provided them with respect. They were influenced to exit gang involvement based on the culmination of experiences and thoughts surrounding family, death/violence, and imprisonment. The strategies utilized to enable these exits comprised limiting or cutting off contacts, keeping busy with pro-social activities, and tattoo concealment or removal.