What did Laidler and Hunt (2001) find about female gang members in the USA?

Laidler and Hunt's research into female gang members in the USA revealed that these individuals often conformed to conventional gender roles. This finding highlights the interplay between societal expectations of femininity and the behaviors exhibited by young women in gang settings. Despite being part of a gang, many female gang members still navigated their identities within the constraints of traditional gender norms, which suggests that they may not completely reject societal expectations about how women should behave.

This perspective is particularly important in understanding the complexities of gang involvement among females, as it challenges the notion that all female gang members operate outside of traditional gender roles. It also sheds light on how these roles can shape their experiences and behaviors within the gang culture.