The unravelling of identities and belonging: criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families

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dc.contributor.advisorCalhoun, Avery
dc.contributor.authorNgo, Hieu Van
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-18T22:17:14Z
dc.date.available2017-12-18T22:17:14Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 386-425en
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation study was a response to community concerns about youth gangs in Calgary. It aimed to achieve theoretical understanding of criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families, and to develop a collaborative, practical framework to support high risk youth. lnformed by participatory action research and grounded theory, the inquiry process involved an interplay of theoretical development and participation of community stakeholders in group reflection and action. The analysis of the experiences of predominantly male participants (29 males, l female) resulted in a grounded theory of unravelling identities and belonging. According to the proposed theory, some youth from immigrant families became involved in criminal gang activity as a result of the unravelling of their self-concept, Canadian identity, ethnic identity and sense of belonging. Such unravelling occurred as the youth experienced gradual disintegration in their relationships with family, school and community. The analysis further unearthed complex pathways of youth from immigrant families towards criminal gang involvement. The gang involved participants either directly experienced pre-migration vulnerabilities or were indirectly impacted by their parents' pre-migration histories. Their life experiences in Canada involved gradual disintegration of their interactions with their families , schools and communities. Subsequently, the participants experienced crises of identities and belonging, which propelled them towards forming friendships with other socially disconnected peers. They became involved in social cliques, and progressed towards membership in criminal gangs. Drawing upon recommendations from the community stakeholders, this dissertation offers a practical framework for supporting high risk youth from immigrant families. The framework is guided by a set of principles that focus on development amongst youth from i1mnigrant families of a positive sense of identity, and of equity, multi-sectoral involvement, coordination and collaboration, multiple approaches to youth services, addressing multiple needs with multiple interventions, and timeliness and responsiveness as criteria for community stakeholders and service providers. It focuses on prevention, and offers concrete strategies for home-based, school-based and community-based support for youth. The dissertation addresses the implications of the study with respect to theoretical development, research, public discourse, policy development, and practice and service development. The findings of the study have made valuable theoretical and practical contributions to addressing the involvement of youth from immigrant families in criminal gangs.
dc.format.extentxvi, 452 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationNgo, H. V. (2011). The unravelling of identities and belonging: criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/4027en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/4027
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/105028
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultySocial Work
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.titleThe unravelling of identities and belonging: criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 2034 627942884
ucalgary.thesis.notesUARCen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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