Gangster Girlfriends in British Columbia: The Allure of Louboutin, Chanel, and Tiffany

According to Peterson (2014) female members may account for as much as 40% of the gang membership in the United States, and yet we still know so little about the female role, membership, association to, and relationships with known gang members. Indeed, Decker (2017: xvii) has noted that “In too many studies of organized crime groups, women are either not dealt with or are treated as appendages.” Our research goes some way to correcting this, adding to the body of evidence by understanding the decision for involvement with gangs, as non-gang members. The main objective was to explore the romantic relationships between females and gang members. The research examines why young females, who do not identify as gang members, enter relationships with gang members and what the nature of these relationships are. In doing so, the research is able to offer a number of recommendations for intervention, which may be effective at deterring gang involvement, and supporting ‘exit strategies’ of young women involved with gang members. The data used to recommend intervention and prevention strategies was produced from qualitative interviews with three women from British Columbia who have previously been in a relationship with a gang member. The results contribute to the ongoing debate about whether females become involved with gangs because they are victims or through conscious decision. A rational choice. The present study argues that women need to be viewed as active decision makers in their own lives, while still acknowledging that dating a gang member is a dangerous and abusive experience. The research also finds support for the glamorization of gangs and suggests that this is an integral factor in entering a relationship with a gang member. This study argues that prevention and intervention methods that aim to de-glamourize gangs are needed to deter young women from entering these relationships.