Life Narratives of Former Gang Members

This study utilized qualitative research design and life narratives approach in capturing the life stories of former gang members through answering four (4) inquiries such as reasons in joining a gang, experiences during gang membership, reasons in leaving the gang and experiences after leaving the gang. In answering the said queries, interview of ten participants was utilized. Participants in the study were those who have been part of a street gang at the age of twelve to twenty-one for at least a year, left the gang for at least three years and are at least eighteen years old at present. Manual coding and thematic analyses were used in generating themes which explain that individuals join gangs because they receive protection and emotional and financial support from the group. During gang membership, gang members experience joining gang wars and carrying out acts of violence and committing vices and other delinquent activities. Upon adopting a new role and/or responsibility of being a parent and a partner in starting one's own family, gang members decide to leave gangs and generally experience a happier and better life with their families afterwards. The findings of the study were used for recommendations in the field of counseling, particularly in school counseling.