Constructing Masculinities in Juvenile Corrections

Abstract

Juvenile reoffending is a costly and perplexing social problem. However, research and theory concerning juvenile reoffending have neglected to examine how young men's gender identities are constructed in the context of a juvenile justice system in which behavior reform through various therapies is a primary goal. This study draws on observational fieldwork in two residential correctional facilities and interviews with incarcerated juvenile male offenders to understand how masculinities are shaped within these institutional settings. They find that in the two settings, hegemonic forms of masculinities involving competition, hierarchy, stoicism, sexism, and homophobia were reinforced through institutional and interpersonal mechanisms. While alternative gender identity expressions were offered through various therapies, they were largely suppressed. This illustration of how masculinities are constructed in juvenile corrections provides a new way to examine the inner workings of institutions that are geared to change the attitudes and behaviors of the young men whom they serve.

Boredom and Action—Experiences from Youth Confinement

“…While some scholars discuss boredom theoretically (Anderson 2004;Barbalet 1999;Conrad 1997;Klapp 1986;Winter 2002) in ways that I will draw upon, none apply the theory to a particular group in a specific context-and only to a limited extent by the use of ethnographic field work. Although earlier studies on youth confinement touch upon the experience of boredom (Abrams, Anderson-Nathe, and Aguilar 2008;Halsey 2007;Wästerfors 2011), as do studies of prison life (Cohen and Taylor 1972;Crewe 2009;Irwin and Owen 2005;Scarce 2002), they do not cover the full significance of this experience for young people. In this article, I highlight boredom as it is experienced in the secure care setting, thus showing how ethnographic fieldwork can uncover an experience that is difficult to capture and communicate.…”

Adolescent Fathers in the Justice System

“…Correctional personnel who reinforce hypermasculine conduct likely serve to increase rather than decrease antisocial behaviors among youth (Abrams et al, 2008). Young men in schools and detention facilities need opportunities to learn about and discuss gender differences, gender roles, and gendered social and cultural behaviors and expectations.…”

“…An investigation of the process by which teen fathers grow into a parental role might suggest whether and how aggressive or antisocial youth socially transmit violent and risky behaviors from parent to child. Youth 1 involved in the justice system experience reinforcement of cultural ideals about manhood prevalent among aggressive boys and young men (Abrams, Anderson-Nathe, & Aguilar, 2008;Nurse, 2002). Many detention facilities are built of steel and concrete and lack warm, soft, or comfortable features; some are overcrowded.…”

Vyriškumo konstravimas Lietuvos pataisos namuose: nuo hipervyriškumo iki vyriško fasado valdymo

“…Robertas Earlas (2011), tirdamas jaunų vyrų vyriškumą įkalinimo įstaigoje, pastebi, kad jauni vyrai idealaus vyro paveikslą kuria pasitelkdami nepriklausomybės, laisvo, nekontroliuojamo gyvenimo, greito ir lengvo praturtėjimo, statuso ir susisaistymo su tam tikra grupe fantazijas. Kiti vyriškumą įkalinimo institucijose analizuojantys autoriai (Abrams et al 2008;Kupers 2005) pabrėžia, kad hegemoninį vyriškumą lemia galios, varžymosi, stoicizmo, homofobijos, seksizmo aspektai. Perdėtas vyriškumas įkalinimo įstaigose reiš-kiasi "kieto vyruko" laikysena, agresijos ir pykčio proveržiais, fizinės jėgos demonstravimu.…”

“…Focusing on the definition and theoretical perspectives of hegemonic masculinity (Connell 2005;Messerdhmidt 2012) and using insights of imprisoned masculinity research (Abrams et al 2008;Curtis 2014;Kupers 2005), the article analyzes the role of hypermasculinity within Lithuanian prisons. The empirical results reveal three forms of masculinity: hypermasculinity, traditional and "human" masculinity named after prisoners' self-definitions.…”