Against Youth Violence

“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

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.

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