Journal of International Migration and Integration
Volume 18, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 63-84
The Unravelling of Identities and Belonging: Criminal Gang Involvement of Youth from Immigrant Families (Article)
Van Ngo H.* ,
Calhoun A. ,
Worthington C. ,
Pyrch T. ,
Este D.
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a
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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b
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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c
School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
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d
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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e
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Abstract
Grounded in the experiences of 30 gang-involved respondents in Calgary, this Canadian study examined criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families. Our analysis showed that gang-involved youth had experienced multiple, severe and prolonged personal and interpersonal challenges in all facets of their lives and that gradual disintegration of their relationships with family, school and community had resulted in the unravelling of self-concept, ethnic identity, sense of belonging and sense of citizenship and progressively propelled them towards membership in high-risk social cliques and criminal gangs. Our findings brought attention to the need for coordinated, comprehensive support for youth from immigrant families through family-based, school-based and community-based programs. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84944710580&doi=10.1007%2fs12134-015-0466-5&partnerID=40&md5=9594242946dbab8b1a45f688fa99f120
DOI: 10.1007/s12134-015-0466-5
ISSN: 14883473
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English