Youth violence dominates headlines and politicians’ attention and many organisations invest considerable resources in an attempt to reduce it. This book examines how inequality and social harms drive such violence and highlights key future goals for policymakers, researchers and practitioners.
For many children and young people, Britain is a harmful society in which to grow up. This book contextualises the violence that occurs between a small number of young people within a wider perspective on social harm.
Aimed at academics, youth workers and policymakers, the book presents a new way to make sense of this pressing social problem. The authors also propose measures to substantially improve the lives of Britain's young people - in areas ranging from the early years, to youth services and the criminal justice system.
Introduction: Against Youth Violence and Against ‘Youth Violence’ A harmful society Why are we ‘against youth violence’? Structure and style 1. The Nature and Scale of Interpersonal Violence in Britain Introduction Sources of data: strengths and limitations Interpersonal violence in England and Wales Interpersonal violence in London Conclusion 2. Developing an Approach to Social Harm Introduction Why not simply focus on ‘crime’ in children and young people’s lives? From crime to social harm Our approach to social harm Conclusion 3. The Importance of Mattering in Young People’s Lives Introduction The importance of mattering An insecure society? Social changes and global processes affecting young people’s sense of mattering in Britain today Conclusion 4. Social Harm and Mattering in Young People’s Lives Introduction Poverty and inequality Declining welfare support: under-resourced communities and social care systems Schools and education Unemployment and ‘marginal work’ Housing and homelessness Harm and subjectivity, structure and agency Relative prevalence of social harms Conclusion 5. Social Harm, Mattering and Violence Introduction The functions of violence and the factors most commonly associated with it Social harm, the struggle to matter and the propensity to engage in violence Conclusion 6. Harmful Responses to ‘Youth Violence’ Introduction An age-old mythology perennially resurfacing with ‘perpetual novelty’ Demonize them Punish and control them Save them Conclusion Conclusion: Towards a Less Harmful Society for Young People Introduction The central arguments of this book: social harm, mattering and violence between young people 2030: a near-future dystopia The changes that we need to improve life for Britain’s young people Address harm, reduce inequality, enhance care
Luke Billingham is a youth and community worker at Hackney Quest and Research Associate at The Open University. Keir Irwin-Rogers is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at The Open University.
Reviews for Against Youth Violence: A Social Harm Perspective
This fascinating book disrupts what we know or think about youth violence. A call to arms to recognize the potential of young people and the social harms they suffer in our current political climate. Deborah Jump, Manchester Metropolitan University The environment we expect children and young people to thrive in is often brutal. This plea for us all to ensure they truly matter is long overdue. If you read only one book about these complex issues, make it this one. I applaud it. Sherry Peck, Chief Executive, Safer London The central message of this thoughtful book is that if we stop harming young people, they will be less likely to harm each other. Yet our policies continue to deprive and demean children and youth. No one should be surprised at the result. Elliott Currie, University of California, Irvine
