British Pakistanis and Desistance: Poverty, Prison and Identity

This book explores the influence of social relations on the moves toward and away from crime among first- and second-generation British Pakistani young adult men and those approaching middle age. It examines their transitions, marginalization, and opportunities and constraints that influence their identity and social integration. It also focuses on the distinct context, relations, and situations in which offending and desistance takes place, such as family formation, education, prison, and neighborhood change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the lives of first- and second-generation British Pakistani young adult men and those approaching middle age who have offended or have offended, examining the influence of social relations on their decisions to engage in or refrain from criminal behavior. It specifically focuses on the experiences of their fathers in raising them in a de-industrialized city, seeking to understand their transitions as they age, the meanings they assign to their ethno-cultural, social, and economic marginalization, and the legal and illegal opportunities and constraints that shape their identity and social integration, as well as their place in British society.

British Pakistanis and Desistance takes a comprehensive approach, examining various factors that contribute to young adult offending and desistance in the British Pakistani community. It explores the context of family formation, education, prison, neighborhood change, and long-term changes in the types, availability, and quality of work. By adopting a life-course approach, the book establishes a connection between desistance theory and the relationship between biography and social structure. It utilizes a case study of entrepreneurial criminality as an attempt to recover from the effects of deindustrialization.

The book is written in an accessible and engaging style, making it suitable for students and scholars of criminology, sociology, desistance, social policy, and anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of British Pakistani men. It sheds light on the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors that shape their lives and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities they face.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367677664