Violent Youth Culture in Northern Ireland: Young Men, Violence, and the Challenges of Peacebuilding

Abstract

This article discusses violent male youth culture in Northern Ireland within the context of a society emerging from a prolonged period of political violence toward peacebuilding. Specifically, the article focuses on the findings from a qualitative study carried out by the Centre for Young Men's Studies with 130 marginalized young men aged 13 to 16 from 20 different communities across Northern Ireland addressing themes of violence, conflict, and safety. Despite a changing context of peacebuilding, findings reveal that violence and paramilitary influence continue to perpetuate a male youth subculture epitomized by sectarianism and increasing racist attitudes. Underpinning this is an enduring cycle of suspicion, fear, and distrust of others and a confused state of mind that leaves these young men "stuck" somewhere between the ceasefire mentality of paramilitaries and the ambiguous messages of peacebuilding. This article concludes by stating the need for more realistic ways to engage and integrate marginalized young men into their communities.Keywords marginalized young men, violence and paramilitaries, peacebuilding and youth work

In the Shadow of Terror: High School Youth Violence in Thailand

“…In a study of the effects of political violence and prolonged sectarian and paramilitary violence on youth in Northern Ireland, Harland (2011) found many of the young males derived a sense of significance as defenders and protectors of their community and felt their aggressive behavior afforded them elevated status among their peers and other community members. All of them perceived violence as an acceptable and normal part of their everyday life.…”

“…Political violence influences violence rates among youth (Cummings et al 2010;Harland 2011). Northern Ireland and Thailand, whose political climates are both violent, both experience higher levels of youth violence.…”

Violence in the Lives of Children and Youth in “Post-Conflict” Northern Ireland

“…In marking (owning) and defending (controlling) space, cultural identity remains "pure" and "uncontaminated" (see McGrellis 2005). In Northern Ireland, defense of culture and identity connected to the defense of local space now extends to other "cultures" (Harland 2011;McAlister, Scraton and Haydon 2009). Moves since the ceasefires and Peace Agreements towards "shared space" through its depoliticization (for example, the removal of sectarian/military murals), has led to frustrations among some young people who perceived such approaches as limitations on the expression of their cultural identity, while feeling that the same restrictions were not experienced by other cultural groups:…”

“…Those working closely with young people note a lack of purpose, identity and belonging, which manifests itself in violence towards others or the self (Harland 2011;McAlister, Scraton and Haydon 2011;CTSJI 2010;Harland, Beattie and McCready 2005). At a time of political transition and economic restraint, when the identity and position of working-class young men is uncertain, violence as part of personal, cultural and political identity has persisted.…”

“…The relationship between masculinity and violence in the context of Northern Ireland as a conflict-affected society has also been well analyzed (see Harland 2011;Harland, Beattie and McCready 2005). Within our research, children and youth commented on a number of occasions that acting violently was what was expected by their peers, friendship groups and within their community.…”