Gender differences in gang participation in the English-speaking Caribbean: an assessment of mode of entry, criminal involvement, victimization and disengagement
Research on girls in gangs and the consequences of their involvement has largely been based on studies conducted in developed countries, with limited attention paid to the Caribbean context. This makes it challenging to draw conclusions or generalize findings to Caribbean nations and other underrepr...
| Authors: | ; ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2026
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| In: |
Journal of ethnicity in criminal justice
Year: 2026, Volume: 24, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-23 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Keywords: |
| Summary: | Research on girls in gangs and the consequences of their involvement has largely been based on studies conducted in developed countries, with limited attention paid to the Caribbean context. This makes it challenging to draw conclusions or generalize findings to Caribbean nations and other underrepresented regions. The present study seeks to contribute by examining gender differences among school-attending gang members in nine English-speaking Caribbean nations: Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Trinidad, and Tobago, and Guyana. Data were collected between 2014 and 2017 from 17,542 students in 306 schools, of which 4,189 students self-reported gang involvement. We examine gender differences in methods for joining, the likelihood of engaging in crime, as well as experiences with victimization. We further look at gender differences in factors influencing the likelihood of leaving the gang. Boys’ self-reported gang involvement was significantly higher than girls’, though girls’ involvement was relatively high (35.8% vs 21.8%, respectively). Descriptive analyses indicated gender differences in methods of joining and reasons and methods for leaving a gang. Regression analysis revealed gender differences in self-reported delinquent behaviors and experiences of violent victimization. We conclude with a discussion of our findings and their implications for research, policy, and programming. |
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| ISSN: | 1537-7946 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15377938.2025.2550461 |
