Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Dr. Olivia Yu

Abstract

There is a problem in the city of Chicago. Gangs are responsible for a substantial percentage of violent crimes in most jurisdictions. This study examined how and to what extent single-parent matriarchal households influenced African American men between 18 and 25 to join gangs in Chicago. This study’s theoretical foundations were matriarchal theory and critical race theory. This qualitative study’s research design is heuristic phenomenology design. An in-depth interview method was employed using purposeful and snowball sampling of 20 participants; in-depth interviews were conducted using telephone technology. This study, which investigated the connection between being raised in a single-parent matriarchal household and the likelihood of joining a gang, was accomplished by analyzing data from the study’s participants using the inductive coding method and sentiment grading. The conclusion and recommendations were that all participants indicated that the single-parent matriarchal influence played a significant role in their decision-making. However, the data also revealed that several other variables including marginalization, family structure, economics, male role models, and outside relationships played a significant role in the decision-making process as well. Thus, a more diverse and expansive study of the multitude of identified issues must be conducted to assess the multiple influences comprehensively and accurately on this phenomenon. Positive social change can be influenced by identifying potential intervention points that could change individuals’ behavior regarding joining these organizations.

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