Young Working-Class Men in Transition

Young Working Class Men in Transition uses a unique blend of concepts from the sociologies of youth and masculinity combined with Bourdieusian social theory to investigate British young working-class men's transition to adulthood.

Steven Roberts is an Associate Professor in Sociology, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Australia

Acknowledgements Preface Chapter 1 Youth Transitions, Young Men and Social Change Introduction Youth transitions and social change Outline of the book Chapter 2 Dominant representations of working-class masculinity: the so-called 'crisis of masculinity' and the academic response Introduction The so-called 'crisis of masculinity': A prominent, problematic, durable discourse Not exactly a 'crisis': Sociology's reflections on changes, challenges and continuities to masculinity in new times Changing circumstances, changing working-class masculinity? A relatively singular account of masculinity across variations in place and space Conclusion Chapter 3 Making sense of men: outlining a framework for the study of contemporary masculinities Introduction Social Constructionism vs Post-Structuralism: a genuinely entrenched binary? Connell's theory of Hegemonic Masculinity Critiques of Hegemonic Masculinity Theory The constraints of HMT's deterministic outlook Theorising change: Anderson's Inclusive Masculinity Theory Anderson's concept of homohysteria Critiques of IMT Making the most of Mannheim's legacy: masculinities and the sociology of generations Bringing in Bourdieu: a fuller account of the social actor Conclusion Chapter 4 The study context and methods Introduction The research sites Accessing the sample The research process Chapter 5 Looking back and looking forward at age 18-24: educational histories and aspirations Introduction Underachieving and disengaged boys? School days: Just an 'in-betweener' 'Ordinariness' and alienated instrumentalism Post-16 'choices' Critical moments in post-16 education engagement and drop out Higher education: Awareness, aspirations, ambitions Conclusion Chapter 6 Young working class men navigating the precarious world of work: identity in and out of the labour market Introduction Embracing service work: the new normal for young working-class men Working-class young men's working lives Sources of identity beyond the sphere of employment Conclusion Chapter 7 Contemporary Working-class Masculinities and the Domestic Sphere: the diminishing significance of 'the man of the house' Introduction Domesticity, Gender Roles and Social Class Attitudes and imagined futures at age 18-24 Walking the walk, not just talking the talk: Gender dynamics in the home, seven years later Conclusion Chapter 8 Emotional disclosure online and offline: changes and continuities in forms of intimate expression among working-class men Introduction Emotion in abundance: an unexpected observation? Sharing emotional content in research interviews Emotion-laden activity on Facebook 'It's just between mates': Making sense of misogyny and homosexually themed language Conclusion Chapter 9 Conclusion: Changing the tune, but not changing the record: Working-class masculinity in transition Introduction Myth busting: the key findings The transformed working class habitus Practical implications