Boys, Young Men and Violence ─ Masculinities, Education and Practice

Drawing upon data collected over an 18 year period with over 1000 boys, this book provides a revealing insight into the lives and development of young men. Examining the particular pressures that impact upon young men such as masculinity, marginalisation, male youth subculture and what are acceptable and unacceptable levels of violence, Harland and McGready present the voices and experiences of men from a range of community backgrounds and cultural traditions in Northern Ireland to enable us to better understand their issues, concerns and behaviour. Providing critical reflections on violence, masculinity, learning and education, Boys, Young Men and Violence presents a clear agenda for future research, practice and policy and will be a vital resource for scholars in Sociology, Criminology and Gender studies as well as those working with boys and young men.

Ken Harland has lectured in Community Youth Work in the School of Sociology and Applied Social Studies at Ulster University, UK since 2002. He is also co-founder and co-director of the university's Centre for Young Men's Studies. His specific research interests focus on themes of masculinity, violence, educational attainment, mental health and youth work methodology.


Sam McCready is Professor of Community Youth Work in the School of Sociology and Applied Social Studies at Ulster University, UK. He is a co-founder and co-director of the Centre for Young Men's Studies. His research interests are in youth work, young men and education, young men and violence, and examining issues facing young people.