Introduction

This book challenges the socially accepted constructions of male dominance and the destructive, aggressive behaviours of men, encouraged during childhood and into adult life. In doing so, it highlights the resulting damage and destruction inflicted upon society, boys, men and others.

Concept of the "ideal man"

The volume disputes the concept of an “ideal man” promoted by adults and the media, which normalises and encourages disruptive, aggressive behaviours and risk-taking activities among boys during childhood and throughout adulthood.

Negative consequences of masculine norms

The book continues to further highlight the negative consequences of such masculine behavioural norms upon our society and questions the society's widespread complicity in encouraging and normalising the harms such behaviours pose and inflict.

Issues examined

Examining issues such as prison population, knife crime and boys' exclusion from school, it explores the damage such behavioural norms inflict upon boys and young men, as well as how their actions, shaped by these norms, ripple through the wider society.

Methodology and narratives

As well as examining relative data and academic literature, this book includes the narratives of school staff and excluded boys, which illustrate how adults and boys in schools hold hegemonic masculine ideals as valuable.

Intended audience

This book is designed for both academics and non-academics and will be useful to students and researchers in the fields of psychology, gender studies, sociology, social work, community and public mental health. It will also appeal to professionals, counsellors, life skills trainers and general readers.