Young Black Street Masculinities: Vulnerability, Knife-Carrying and Survival on a Disadvantaged Housing Estate

This book explores how young Black men on a disadvantaged housing estate in London navigate the expectations of the street code, which promotes violence and masculinity. It outlines the pressure they face to adhere to the code and provides examples of those who have rejected it. It also suggests that youth workers can support those trapped by embodying personalized or caring masculinity features that challenge the dominant masculinity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate world of young Black men residing on a disadvantaged housing estate in London, exploring their navigation of the estate's expectations for their behavior while operating within a street code that perpetuates violence, knife-carrying, and challenging masculinity norms. This street code serves as a guiding force in shaping the masculine identities of these men, promoting values such as misogyny, violence, and the acquisition of expensive material possessions while suppressing any manifestations of weakness or femininity. The chapters provide vivid accounts of the daily pressures these young men face, urging them to conform to the estate's street code in order to gain respect and recognition. At the same time, the book showcases examples of young men who have successfully resisted or rejected the influence of this code. Furthermore, King offers insightful perspectives on how youth workers can effectively support those caught in the trap of the estate's street code. By embodying personalized or caring masculinity traits that aim to challenge and transform the dominant masculinity norms, these workers can provide a nurturing environment that promotes positive growth and development for the young men involved.

This captivating book delves into the intricate world of young Black men residing on a disadvantaged housing estate in London, exploring their navigation of the estate's expectations for their behavior while operating within a street code that perpetuates violence, knife-carrying, and challenging masculinity norms. This street code serves as a guiding force in shaping the masculine identities of these men, promoting values such as misogyny, violence, and the acquisition of expensive material possessions while suppressing any manifestations of weakness or femininity. The chapters provide vivid accounts of the daily pressures these young men face, urging them to conform to the estate's street code in order to gain respect and recognition. At the same time, the book showcases examples of young men who have successfully resisted or rejected the influence of this code. Furthermore, King offers insightful perspectives on how youth workers can effectively support those caught in the trap of the estate's street code. By embodying personalized or caring masculinity traits that aim to challenge and transform the dominant masculinity norms, these workers can provide a nurturing environment that promotes positive growth and development for the young men involved.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030935450
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022