Guys, Gangs, and Girlfriend Abuse - Softcover

Totten, Mark D

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1551113414 ISBN 13: 9781551113418

Publisher: Broadview Press Ltd, 2000

Synopsis

Winner: The 2001 Frederick Milton Thrasher Award (awarded by The American Sociological Association)

Youth violence and youth gangs are serious social problems. This groundbreaking study explores how marginal male youth make sense of their physical, sexual, and emotional violence towards those they claim to love—their girlfriends—and how the abuse of girls, gays, and racial minorities is related to the development of familial and gender ideologies in the home and on the street. The construction of masculinity is revealed as an ongoing process, negotiated and developed with the resources at hand. The degree, level, and objects of individual and gang violence are linked to differences in adherence to the patterns of male behaviour and authority the child witnesses in the family and in the gang. The language these male youth use in the in-depth interviews reflects their actions and feelings: it is disturbing, yet powerful.

As well as addressing the lack of qualitative information on the subject, this book offers a practical plan for addressing youth violence. It is a valuable resource for students, parents, and professionals.

About this title

Review

"Mark Totten's study illuminates the dark side of North American masculinity—and how it plays out in the mistreatment of girls." -- James Garbarino, Professor of Human Development and Co-Director of the Family Life Development Center at Cornell University, is the author of Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them.

"This is a book whose contents are as terrifying as the author's analysis is thoughtful and sober." -- Michael Kimmel, Professor of Sociology, SUNY at Stony Brook, is the author of Men and Masculinities and author of Manhood in America.

About the Author

Mark D. Totten has worked with high-risk young people and families for eighteen years. Holding a Masters degree in Social Work and a Ph.D. in Sociology, he has taught at Carleton University and is Director of Research at the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa-Carleton. He was awarded the Patricia Allen Memorial Fund Scholarship for his research and is working on a second book on youth homicide.

Edition details

• Publisher: Broadview Press Ltd
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1551113414
• ISBN 13: 9781551113418
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 239