“My Shot Caller Was the One Who Snitched on Me”: Disengagement From Hmong Gangs

• In Event: Gang Transitions: Initiation, Desistance, and Disengagement

Abstract

Gang disengagement has garnered tremendous attention. Research has shed light on important aspects of this process, including the motivations for exit, departure rituals, and lingering residual consequences. Despite this, studies have primarily been descriptive and focused on the experiences of black and Hispanic gang members. This study addresses these gaps by examining the disengagement process among a sample of 15 former Hmong gang members in the United States. By analyzing life history interviews and ethnographic observations, three motivations for gang exit emerged: (1) disillusionment, (2) maturation, and (3) familial concerns. Additionally, three modalities for exit were described: (1) nonviolent, (2) immediate, and (3) gradual departures. Importantly, the findings are grounded within symbolic interactionism given the salience of meaning-making and identity in leaving the gang.

Author

• Sou Lee, Gonzaga University