As Northern Ireland's young people now come of age with no memories of the Troubles, and with all the same issues and opportunities as 'txt generation' young people elsewhere, this critically important resource is for anyone interested in a unique and crucial time in Northern Ireland; involved in or studying education, sociology, youth work, social work, community work, and political representation - whether in Northern Ireland, across the UK, Ireland or beyond."The Northern Ireland conflict has been one of the most thoroughly-researched conflicts in the world. So, what has this book to offer beyond what has already been said about Northern Ireland? We believe that the cessation of paramilitary violence opens up the opportunity to focus on issues affecting young people which in the past have been overlooked due to the sheer impact that the Northern Ireland conflict has had on the lives of people living here." - The editors.Written by leading authorities reflecting on a broad-based, holistic and participative survey of 16-year-olds over the first decade of post-conflict Northern Ireland, it contains: messages that readers can draw out when considering other post-conflict, segregated or troubled societies; voices of young people, particularly their frustration at those seeking to make a difference in one such 'headline' society too often approaching them with stereotypical assumptions; explanations of the worries that lie beyond such assumptions; explorations of the wishes for much the same things as young people elsewhere; and insight into how being 16 has changed across the first decade of the 'txt generation'.
This multi-faceted study of young people's lives and communities is a reminder that making a difference requires us to work across all parts of their lives, not just on those issues that most powerfully present themselves. It is based on "The Young Life and Times" ("YLT") annual postal survey of approximately 2,000 16-year olds, which has been systematically collecting information since 1998. "YLT" is one of the key activities of ARK, a joint initiative by the two Northern Irish universities. Reliable, robust and ongoing, it monitors changes in attitudes and behaviour over time.The analysis and insight presented in this book go far beyond "YLT's" occasional short research updates and its raw data and results tables from the survey. This book offers fresh insight and analysis of young people's lives and times. It addresses not just what we expect to hear about when NI is being discussed: violence, sectarianism, faith-segregated schooling, cross-community contact, politics, peace process.
But also: inward migration, mental health, suicide rates, bullying, pupil participation, sexual health, poverty, class, and how best to find out about these things in robust ways that involve young people in shaping the process. It also includes 'Is Anybody Listening?' - a prize-winning essay in a 2007 competition open to all Northern Ireland's 16-year-olds.