Individually Ourselves: Personhood, Ethics, and Everyday Life in School

Individually Ourselves explores how young people construct individual personhood through friendships and peer ethics, shaped by power and inequality. It examines how interactions create our identities during a formative time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Individually Ourselves: A Study of Young People's Friendships and Peer Ethics in a London High School
Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in a London high school, Individually Ourselves demonstrates how young people elaborate notions of individual personhood through their friendships and pervasive peer ethics, shaped in and through relations of power and inequality. By examining the interplay between ourselves and others during such a formative time of life, the book addresses how individuality is produced in everyday life and how our interactions help create the person we become.

The book begins by exploring the ways in which young people construct their identities and relationships in the context of their social and cultural surroundings. It highlights the importance of friendship in shaping young people's sense of self and belonging, and how peer ethics play a crucial role in guiding their behavior and decision-making.

One of the key findings of the book is that young people's friendships are often characterized by a sense of mutual support and trust. They provide a space for individuals to express themselves, share their experiences, and develop a sense of self-worth. However, the book also reveals that these friendships can be fraught with power dynamics and inequality. Young people may be pressured to conform to certain norms and expectations, and may face discrimination or exclusion based on their race, gender, sexuality, or other characteristics.

To address these issues, the book proposes a number of strategies for promoting positive peer ethics. These include promoting diversity and inclusion, providing opportunities for young people to develop their skills and interests, and creating a supportive and inclusive school environment. The book also emphasizes the importance of parents and teachers in promoting positive peer ethics, and provides examples of successful programs and interventions that have been implemented in schools around the world.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book is its examination of the ways in which young people's friendships and peer ethics are shaped by the broader social and political context. The book highlights the impact of globalization, neoliberalism, and social inequality on young people's lives, and how these factors can contribute to the development of negative peer ethics. For example, the book discusses the ways in which social media and technology can be used to promote bullying and harassment, and how these platforms can contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and beliefs.

In addition to its theoretical insights, Individually Ourselves also provides a number of practical recommendations for educators and policymakers. The book suggests that schools should prioritize the development of positive peer ethics, and should provide training and support for teachers and staff to help them promote these values. The book also suggests that policymakers should address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to the development of negative peer ethics, such as poverty and inequality.

Overall, Individually Ourselves is a compelling and thought-provoking book that provides a unique perspective on the development of young people's friendships and peer ethics. It highlights the importance of these relationships in shaping young people's sense of self and belonging, and how they can be shaped by a range of social and cultural factors. By promoting positive peer ethics and addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to negative peer ethics, we can help create a more just and equitable society for all young people.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805391012