Rethinking youth bulge theory in policy and scholarship: incorporating critical gender analysis

Abstract

For decades ‘youth bulge’ theory has dominated understandings of youth in mainstream International Relations. Youth bulge theory has also become part of some public media analyses, mainstream political rhetoric, and even officially enshrined in the foreign policy of some states. Through the ‘youth bulge’ lens, youth—especially males—have been presented as current or future perpetrators of violence. However, this article argues that the youth bulge thesis postulated in mainstream IR is based on flawed theoretical assumptions. In particular, supporters of youth bulge theory fail to engage with existing research by feminist IR scholars and thus take on a biological essentialist approach. This has led to theoretical and practical misunderstandings of the roles youth play in relation to conflict, peace and security. These partial and biased understandings have also resulted in less effective policy-making. In critically reflecting on the ‘youth bulge’ thesis, this article argues that applying gender analysis is crucial to understanding the involvement of young people in general—and young men in particular—in conflict. Doing so will contribute to advancing more accurate analysis in scholarship and policy-making.

Prevention, Protection and Participation: Children Affected by Armed Conflict

“…Aubrey Seader, a young arts-based peacebuilder, recently stated that "kids know the most about what they are going through, and they know the most about their needs." Children have a role to play as peacebuilders and their participation in the design and implementation of peacebuilding is essential (Baillie O'Neil, 2018;Pruitt, 2020;Toh, 2002).…”

“…In order for protection mechanisms to be effective, girls need to be engaged in the process (Pruitt, 2020;Szabo and Edwards, 2020). A deeper understanding of sex and gender-based structural inequities in fragile and conflict environments is necessary to increase children's participation in violence transformation ( Table 1: Opportunities to Strengthen Children, Peace and Security).…”

“…Brown et al (2019) argue: "proactive effort is needed to reach out to, partner with, and listen to the voices of vulnerable and marginalized gender groups with an inclusive and intersectional perspective" (p.2). Children, and particularly girls and gender minority children, have unique needs and capacities which must be considered (Mcguire, 2012;Pruitt, 2020). In this regard, we need a collective transition from a gender unaware approach which lacks appreciation for the unique needs and experiences of different genders, toward a gender transformative approach where gender power dynamics are recognized and challenged (Brown et al, 2019).…”

The peacebuilding potential of technical and vocational education and training programmes in post-conflict Sierra Leone

“…The prioritization of youth as a potential for economic development in conflict-affected environments dominates popular peacebuilding discourses (Kemper 2005;McEvoy-Levy 2006). Yet critics allege that youth are predominantly embraced as a homogeneous group for 6 which narrow and technical solutions are sought that serve a liberal peacebuilding goal and consequently underestimate the differences between youth's needs and expectations (Batmanglich and Enria 2014;Lopes Cardozo, Higgins, and Le Mat 2016;Pruitt 2020). For instance, economically driven educational programmes in conflict-affected areas try to give youth the tools to become productive citizens but might thereby not go beyond their individual potential for peacebuilding (Sayed et al 2016).…”

Youth in Fiji and Solomon Islands: Livelihoods, Leadership and Civic Engagement

“…The framing of youth issues all too often applies a pejorative lens that assumes youth deviancy (Protzko and Schooler 2019;Pruitt 2020). I do not engage with this subject through a security-focused risk-management lens, however (Goldstone 2002;Moller 1968;Urdal 2006).…”