Centre for Young Men’s Studies (CYMS)

In western societies traditional routes to manhood have become increasingly prolonged and complex leaving many young men confused about what it means to be a man. Central to this confusion are contradictions young men experience striving to adhere to stereotypical notions of men and masculinity.

Northern Ireland is a society in transition emerging from a period of prolonged violence. In many communities young men are caught up in this transition but have not been equipped to manage or cope with change.

Many young men have acquired a sense of place or sense of significance as defenders/protectors of that community, Defenders against “invasion” from other communities or protectors from unwanted security force intrusion. As such, use of violence or threats of aggression affords them status amongst peers and other community members.

However, in a post-conflict society the need for the defender and protector has become virtually redundant. Now young men have become the focus of aggression from within their own community. Their behaviour, once lauded and feted, has now become a focus for criticism, violent assault and/or expulsion from that community. This ambivalence may have always been there but it has become even more pronounced as the peace process evolves in Northern Ireland.

In autumn 2004, the inaugural ‘Centre for Young Men’s Studies’ was launched after funding was secured from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. The Centre is a partnership between the Community Youth Work department at the University of Ulster and YouthAction Northern Ireland.

Our Goal

The aim of the Centre is to promote a culture of learning, development and excellence in regard to young men living in Northern Ireland through innovative practice, training and action research. This Centre will adopt an approach where the voice, needs and interests of young men are central to the process.

The Centre will establish a body of knowledge that will increase our understanding of the place, position and behaviour of young men in Northern Ireland. Whilst the overall focus of the Centre will address issues affecting young men such as crime, education and mental health, the initial phase will concentrate on young men and violence in the context of a society emerging from a period of prolonged conflict.

Key research themes include:

• The relationship of young men to violence
• Young men as victims and perpetrators of violence
• The needs of young men in a post conflict society
• The journey from boy to man
• New approaches to working with young men.

The Project has five strands

• Strand 1 – Gathering a database of `Lifestyles of Young men in NI.

• Strand 2 - Action Research that will involve interviewing young men about their experiences in growing up in Northern Ireland and the role of violence in their lives

• Strand 3 – Longitudinal Research in 4 schools across Northern Ireland. This will track students from their first year in secondary school through to fifth year.

• Strand 4 – Practice component. In partnership with YouthAction Northern Ireland the project will develop models of practice to support young men and identify necessary skills for coping in a post conflict situation

• Strand 5 - Training that will focus on professionals who encounter young men in their working lives eg youth workers, prison officers, social workers, probation officers teachers etc.

 

Publications

The Centre for Young Men's Studies has published the following, as part of its ongoing research

Reports

• Stuck in the Middle

Occasional Papers

• Young Men and the Squeeze of Masculinity

Research Updates

• Violent Victims? Young Men as Perpetrators and Victims of Violent Crime

 

People

The Centre for Young Men's Studies is co-directed by Dr. Ken Harland and Sam McCready of the Community and Youth Work Department at the University of Ulster. Dr. Karen Beattie is a Research Associate at the centre.

More information on CYMS staff can be found here .

The Centre for Young Men's Studies is also supported by The Rank Foundation.