Understanding Racism and Masculinity: Drawing on Research With Boys Aged Eight to Sixteen

• NCJ Number: 180684
• Journal: International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1998 Pages: 393-418
• Author(s): Jo Goodey
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This paper addresses the continued marginalization of race, racism, and gender (particularly masculinities) in mainstream criminology by examining the intersection of race, racism, and masculinity, with reference to the author's research with Asian, Afro-Caribbean, and white boys in Great Britain regarding their experiences of racism.

Abstract

Masculinities theory is used for its insight into multiple layers of oppression and identity-development in relation to being young, working class, black, and male. The subject of racism and masculinity is examined through the author's research on "the impact of race and racism on boys' fear of crime." As a pilot study into new theoretical and empirical areas, the research involved in-depth, qualitative research using a maximum of 30 group interviews with 10 groups of boys aged 8 to 16 who resided in the northern English city of Sheffield. The findings reported in this paper are based on the group interviews conducted in Sheffield schools. Theoretical insights and empirical evidence are presented under the three broad headings of "concealed," "complex," and "contentious" research. In discussing "concealed" research, the paper argues that mainstream criminology can be criticized for its neglect of black experience in Britain; criminology has failed to recognize multiple layers of oppression, which include oppression related to being masculine. Regarding "complex" research, this paper focuses on the complex interaction of race, gender, and age in the formation of personal identity, with attention to the implications of the empirical findings for masculinities theory. The "contentiousness" of the research findings lies in their ability to confront racial stereotypes held by various racial groups toward other racial groups. In this regard, one section of the paper focuses on Asian boys' apparent aggression toward Afro-Caribbean and white boys while relating these findings to theories of masculinity and oppression. 10 notes and 32 references