An Analysis of Women's Reality and Experience Within New Zealand Gangs
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Troubled Journeys: An Analysis of Women's Reality and Experience within New Zealand Gangs ************** A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the req uirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Sociology in the University of Canterbury by Glennis pennehy ************** University of Canterbury 2000 THESIS 11 DEDICATION. Troubled Journeys is dedicated to 'Pet', a friend and extended family member whose tragic death stays with me, her family, and those that care. I never forget her friendship, her honesty and her warm, sunny smile. Her memory inspires and reinforces my drive to push for change. Me titiro whakamuri tatou Kia mohia ai Me pehea haere ki mua We should look backwards so that we can detennine how to go forward. It is also dedicated to the many people whose support and understanding enabled me to make profound changes, for the better, in my own life, and thus have enabled me to transform my own Troubled JOUfflry into something of value that hopefully will promote understanding and positive changes in other people's lives. While the list of people is too long to mention in totality, particular gratitude is extended to Alistair Lester for just being himself and being there, beyond the call of duty, to Patsy Colquhoun and other refuge advocates who made my healing easier, to Tania and Daniel Mataki who provided loving support for my children, to friends and mentors who hung in there and to Mum, Daphne and Neville who never gave up hope, Thank you. Takiri ake te awatea, korihi ake nga manu, whiti mai te ra i te pae. Rei whakaoho i taku moe. The dawn breaks, the birds sing, the sun shines upon the horizon to awaken me from my sleep. What can you do to wake yourselffrom the sleep, that stops you from having all that your heart desires? (RuthTai, 1992) iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. While I have plodded away at Troubled Journeys for the last two years, many people, to whom I am deeply indebted, have contributed to the final outcome of this thesis. My deepest gratitude goes to the gang-related women: Daff, Pansy, Rose, Thistle, Freesia, Lily, Rhodo, Jasmine, Violet, and Daisy, for their willingness to relate their stories and allow me to share them with others. Without their generosity and support:, this study would not have taken place. Likewise, I am grateful to Tane, for his openness and comment from the male perspective. There were also other gang-related women, as well as current and former gang members, who wished to remain anonymous that I wish to thank. Their discussions and support have expanded my thinking and helped to shape my analysis. Other people interviewed whose support, encouragement and challenges have assisted my knowledge on gangs include Harry Tam, Richard Neale, Cam Stokes and Grant Harris. Their time, frank discussion, and feedback have been extremely useful, helping to fill the gaps and sharpen my focus. Likewise, a number of social service workers have aided in this regard. I am grateful to Dr. Arnold Parr and Dr. Greg Newbold of the Department of Sociology in the University of Canterbury. As my thesis supervisors, I thank them for putting their time, interest and energy into this thesis. Their faith in my ability to carry out this project has allowed me to fulfil a dream. Their commitment to painstakingly read, re-read, comment, challenge and provide feedback contributed to the overall production of this thesis. Arnold and Greg, I have truly appreciated the discussions and debates, as well as the coffees and lunches. On a similar level, I wish to thank Hazel Phillips of Ngati Mutunga, a teacher assistant in the Department of Education, University of Canterbury, for her help as a cultural adviser. Her knowledge and wisdom relating to Tikanga Maori and Maori research processes were helpful in my finding a suitable research process. And I thank Maureen Woods for help with typing up my transcripts. Likewise, I wish to thank the Department of Sociology for the opportunity to complete this project and for the Department Scholarship, the Three Nations Award and the other resources I received during the last two years. I would like to thank friends and colleagues within the department for providing much support through the Thesis Writers' Group and general discussions in those much-needed coffee breaks. And I have often turned to my office buddy, Nicola Robertson, in times of frustration, during those memory lapses and mind blocks, and when wanting to escape from the computers, books, and the four walls of our confines. Her tolerance, patience, support and friendship along the way is cherished. In addition, I would like to thank my friends and colleagues, especially Neil McPherson, at Stopping Violence Services, Christchurch for their encouragement and support. I thank Neil, a clinical psychologist, for his kind generosity as a friend and for giving me an avenue to process my own personal thoughts and feelings as I worked on this project. This helped me to stay on task, and ensured that my own emotional wellbeing remained intact. Finally, I wish to thank my children, Manawa, Pepe, Mahdi, Tui and her family, for their sacrifices and understanding during the last few years. Without their support this journey would have been difficult to achieve. They have provided me with a source of strength, courage and determination, which has helped me put my own T roubfed Journry behind me. I extend my appreciation and gratitude to you all. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page Dedication tt Acknowledgments 111 Table of Contents IV List of Tables VI List of Appendices VII Abstract VIII PREAMBLE 1 Personal Rationale fur this Thesis 4 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ~n troduction 5 Research on Women in Gwgs 6 The New Zealand Literature 11 Paucity of Research on \X'omen's Involvement 13 Objectives of this Research 14 CHAPTER TWO: THE RESEARCH METHOD Introduction 17 Gaining Access 18 Interviews 20 Semi-Formal Discussions 22 Literature Review 23 Ethical Considerations 23 Informed consent 23 Confidentiality wd the Right to privacy 24 Cultural Sensitivity 25 Overall Analysis 26 CHAPTER THREE: THE WOMEN'S ACCOUNTS: GETTING INTO & OUT OF THE GANG Introduction 27 Thistle 27 Freesia 33 Lily 37 Daisy 42 Rose 46 Daffodil 50 Jasmine 55 Pansy 59 Rhododendron 65 Violet 72 v CHAPTER FOUR: THE WOMEN & THEIR FAMILY BACKGROUDS Introduction 77 Family of Origin and Socio-Economic Status 77 Parents' Marital/Relationship Break-up, Parental Absence and Parental Addictions or Substance Abuse 78 Parental Disciplinary Practices, Domestic/Family Violence, and Personal Experience of Sexual Abuse 82 Impact of Homelife on Schooling 86 Discussion 87 CHAPTER FIVE: BECOMING INVOLVED WITH THE GANG Introduction 94 Initial Connections with Gangs 94 Attraction to Gangs or Gang Members 97 Gangs: A Means of Protection, Security, Belonging and Acceptance 100 Discussion 104 CHA~TER SIX: LEARNING THE RULES & THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN NEW ZEALAND GANGS Introduction 110 Place of women in International gangs 110 Sexism in Criminal and Gang Cultures 115 Women in New Zealand Gangs: The Men's View 116 Women in New Zealand Gangs: The Women's View 118 Some Challenges and Reflections 123 Those 'Good Girl' Versus 'Bad Girl' Distinctions 124 The No Narking Norm 126 Socialisation into the Gang Scene 130 Gang Socialisation Processes and Women 136 Reflection 141 CHAPTER SEVEN: MEN'S POWER & CONTROL TACTICS & WOMEN'S COPING STRATEGIES Introduction 143 The Deluth Abuse Intervention Project Power and Control Model 143 Bringing in the Gang Dynamics 146 Male Privilege 146 Physical Abuse and Violence 148 Coercion and Threats, Intimidation and Emotional Abuse 153 Isolation 157 Economic Abuse, Using Children and Blaming/Minimising Tactics 161 The Threat of Gang Rape 167 Further Comment on Gang Rape 173 Female Complicity in Male Oppression 176 Women's Coping Strategies 177 vi CHAPTER EIGHT: LEAVING ABUSIVE GANG MEMBERS AND/OR THE GANG BEHIND Introduction 182 Violence and Abuse: Why Women Stay 182 Blocks to Leaving 'Dangerous Relationships' 186 Women's Reasons for Leaving Partner or the Gang Scene 190 The Process of Leaving 195 The Role of Religion in Change 199 The Problem with Personal Counselling 201 Life after the Gang 202 CHAPTER NINE: CONCLUSION Introduction 204 Antecedent and Motivational Factors in Female Gang Affiliation 205 Personal Motivations that Support Gang Affiliation 206 Learning the Rules and the Role of Women 207 Male Tactics of Power and Control 209 Restraints to Leaving a Gang Member Partner or the Gang Scene 210 REFERENCES 213 LIST OF TABLES & FIGURES Chapter Four: - Table 1: Parental Issues that Influenced Childhood: Noting Parents' Marital/Relationship Break-up, Frequent Parental Absence and/or Parental Addictions. 80 Table 2: Participants' Acknowledgment of Parental Discipline Regimes, Domestic/Family Violence and Abuse, and Personal Experience of Sexual Abuse. 84 Table 3: Participants' Acknowledgment of Feeling Safer Away from Family, Extended Family /Whanau Support, and Number of Years in Secondary SchooL 86 Chapter Five: - Table 1: Participants with Family, Friends and/or Street Kid Connections with Gangs Prior to Gang Involvement. 96 - Table 2: Personal Attractions towards the Gang or a Gang Member. 99 Table 3: Participants who Saw Gangs as a Means of Protection, Security, Acceptance and Sense of Belonging. 103 Chapter Six: - Figure 1: Moreland & Levine's Model of Group Socialisation. 133 - Figure 2: Mapping Women's Movement through the Gang Context. 137 Chapter Seven: - Figure 3: Modified Version of the Duluth Abuse Intervention Project Power and Control Model: Power and Control