Episode 40

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Published on:

17th Apr 2024

Conflict, Peace-Building and Hope: Taking Boys Seriously in Northern Ireland - Dr Ken Harland

Dr Ken Harland has been involved in youth work practice and research with boys and young men in Northern Ireland for the past 35 years. During that time, he has witnessed a transition from a culture in which violence and conflict was normalised, to one of peace-building and hope. But how were ‘The Troubles’ shaped by gender inequality? What impact did and does the conflict have on young men growing up, and on ideas of masculinity? How is it possible to reach disadvantaged boys and young men and help them find their voice in this context? And are there lessons for elsewhere from the political transformation of Northern Ireland towards peace?

After being a community youth worker for 17 years, in 1996 Ken joined Ulster University and was co-founder and co-director of the ‘Centre for Young Men’s Studies’ there from 2005-2016. Since then he’s worked independently as a consultant, trainer, lecturer and researcher in youth and youth-related issues, and also works part-time as a Research Fellow and Consultant with Ulster University's longitudinal research initiative ‘Taking Boys Seriously’. In this episode, Ken talks movingly about his personal story, linking his early work experiences in the shipyards, to finding his passion in education, his relationship with his dad, and being a grandparent. 

We cover the following topics:

  • Ken’s experience of living through The Troubles (01:14-05:22)
  • The place of gender in conversations about transition away from conflict (05:22-08:45)
  • How men were expected to be ‘defenders’ and ‘protectors’ (08:45-11:52)
  • The dominance of the ‘cult of the hardman’ (11:52-15:34)
  • Similarities and differences in masculine pressures in different contexts (15:34-18:36)
  • The impact of the police and army as well as paramilitary organisations (18:36-20:17)
  • Hopes for a better future despite the challenges (20:17-25:07)
  • The experiences of women during The Troubles (25:07-26:59)
  • What led Ken to work on masculinity issues (26:59-35:30)
  • The establishment of the Centre for Young Men’s Studies in Belfast (35:30-40:59)
  • Making sense of how masculinity influences young men's (and our own) lives (40:59-46:46)
  • Taking Boys Seriously: The need for gender conscious relational pedagogy (46:46-48:33)
  • Practical lessons from Ken’s work with boys (48:33-53:04)
  • Conclusion: Moving away from a culture of violence; Challenging the notion that boys don’t talk; Social change in Northern Ireland, including around Brexit and abortion; Connections with previous episodes, including #39 with Dr Jocelyn Smith Lee on gun violence in the US (53:04-01:00:45)

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About the Podcast

Now and Men
Current conversations about men's lives
What's it like to be a man in the 21st century? How are feminist issues relevant to men and boys? How can we engage in productive conversations about gender equality? These questions are being discussed more than ever.

Our monthly podcast delves into these issues with experts such as practitioners, activists and academics. In each episode, you’ll hear in-depth conversations about a wide-range of topics connected to masculinity and the lives of men and boys, such as preventing gender-based violence, promoting active fatherhood, and supporting men's health.

The podcast is hosted by two social science researchers, based on the opposite sides of the world: Sandy Ruxton from Durham University's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (UK) and Dr Stephen Burrell from the University of Melbourne (Australia). If you would like to give us your feedback, suggest a guest, or have a question you'd like us to discuss, get in touch at nowandmen@gmail.com. And if you like what we do, please share us with your friends, and leave a review on Apple podcasts!

About your hosts

Stephen Burrell

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I am a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where I moved from the UK at the beginning of 2024. My research is about men, masculinities and violence. I am particularly interested in the prevention of men's violence against women, building gender equality, addressing environmental harm, and promoting an ethic of care among men and boys. In my spare time I'm a big fan of drinking tea, being in nature, eating vegan ice cream, and listening to heavy metal music. I'm also a trustee for White Ribbon UK.

Sandy Ruxton

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Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Durham University (UK). Independent researcher, expert on men and masculinities. Previous policy work on human rights, children and families, poverty and social exclusion, and asylum and migration. Programme experience with boys and young men in schools, community, and prisons. Steering Committee member, MenEngage Europe. Volunteer for OX4 Food Crew. Chess-player, bike-rider, tree-hugger. Great grandfather edited Boy's Own Paper, but was sacked.