| Dying to be Men: Youth, Masculinity and Social Exclusion Contributor(s): Barker, Gary (Author) |
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ISBN: 0415337755 ISBN-13: 9780415337755 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $56.95 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2005 Annotation: Worldwide data on violence confirms that young men are the commonest perpetrators and recipients of violence, ranging from homicide to lesser forms of violence such as assault and delinquent behavior. Among young men in North and Latin America the incidence of violence, and homicide, is the highest in the world. Largely urban-based, the violence is clearly related to social exclusion, unemployment, and curtailed educational opportunities, although the versions of male identity prevailing in this context also appear to play a very large part in supporting and encouraging the use of violence, especially against women. The health consequences, and financial cost, of violence are considerable. At the same time, despite the general acceptance of a traditional and callous version of manhood in such settings, there are young men who do not get involved in violence - the 'peace boys'. How can this be explained? Based on field research and interviews in the USA and Brazil, "Dying to be Men" explores how manhood or male identity is shaped in poor urban settings, how it is that some young men resist the prevailing norms, what the implications are for social policy and what are the most important forms of intervention. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Sociology - General - Health & Fitness | Diseases - Aids & Hiv - Medical | Allied Health Services - General |
| Dewey: 305.242 |
| LCCN: 2004065140 |
| Series: Sexuality, Culture and Health |
| Physical Information: 0.38" H x 6.3" W x 9.3" (0.77 lbs) 188 pages |
| Themes: - Sex & Gender - Masculine |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: One of the first comparative reflections of its kind, this book examines the challenges that young men face when trying to grow up in societies where violence is the norm. Barker, who has worked directly with low-income youth and witnessed first hand the violence he describes, provides a compelling account of the young men's struggles. He discusses the problems these men face in other areas of their lives, including the difficulty of staying in school, the multiple challenges of coming of age as men in the face of social exclusion, including finding meaningful employment, and their interactions with young women, including sexual behaviour and the implications of this for HIV/AIDS prevention. The book presents examples of evaluated programs that have been able to aid young men in rethinking what it means to be a man and ultimately focuses on 'voices of resistance' - young men who find ways to stay out of violence and to show respect and equality in their relationships, even in settings where male violence and rigid attitudes about manhood are prevalent. |