Analyzing the Evolution of Rascal Gang Culture in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, through the Sociological Imagination Lens

As Papua New Guinea moved towards self-government in 1973 and ultimately gained independence on September 16, 1975, the emergence of criminal gang culture became an inherent aspect, mirroring the various phases of the country's development. This analysis explores the evolution of criminal gang culture in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, through the lens of sociological imagination. Its objective is to explain the formation of gang culture in Port Moresby during the periods leading up to and following independence, and how it has contributed to the city's contemporary issues related to law and order, mainly involving young individuals colloquially known as 'rascal' gangs in Papua New Guinea. Data collection posed challenges, as this research commenced amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Residing in Lae within the Morobe Province, the author of this paper had to intermittently collect data during several visits to Port Moresby from 2019 to 2023. The findings of the research reveal that a combination of historical influences, individual biographies, and structural factors, coupled with rapid development, has perpetuated the crime issue in Port Moresby. Over time, this problem has evolved into a serious concern regarding law and order. This paper asserts that it is important to look beyond our own experiences and understand how bigger social, historical, and structural things affect our lives in Port Moresby. Fixing this problem needs more than just saying there's a problem – it needs leaders who are really committed and have good strategies and plans to control and stop it.