“A TIME TO BE TOUGH, A TIME TO BE TENDER:” EXPLORING THE PARADIGMS AND EFFECTS OF MASCULINITIES IN POST-CONFLICT NORTHERN IRELAND by JENNA L. LADA A THESIS Presented to the Conflict and Dispute Resolution Program and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science September 2017 THESIS APPROVAL PAGE Student: Jenna L. Lada Title: “A Time to be Tough, a Time to be Tender:” Exploring the Paradigms and Effects of Masculinities in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland This thesis has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree in the Conflict and Dispute Resolution Program by: Diane Baxter Chairperson Shaul Cohen Member Angela Montague Member and Sara D. Hodges Interim Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded September 2017 ii © 2017 Jenna L. Lada iii THESIS ABSTRACT Jenna L. Lada Master of Science Conflict and Dispute Resolution Program September 2017 Title: “A Time to be Tough, a Time to be Tender:” Exploring the Paradigms and Effects of Masculinities in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland This thesis examines the paradigms of masculinities during and after Northern Ireland’s conflict to understand how societal transition from intrastate conflict impacts males’ identities and mental health. Focusing on fieldwork conducted predominately in Derry/Londonderry and applying masculinity theories, this thesis explores the experiences of males aged 29 to 40 who grew up during the 1990s’ peace process. Social and mental health professionals and community and youth workers have expressed concern for the mental health and well-being of this population of men, as well as young men born after the peace process. With this concern in mind, this thesis argues that the continuous presence of contested images of masculinity that existed prior to the conflict and that emerged during the conflict, along with the cultural practice of silence, has resulted in an ambiguous understanding of masculinity in the post-conflict era, and has had a negative impact on males’ mental health. iv CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Jenna L. Lada GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene Ohio University, Athens DEGREES AWARDED: Master of Science, Conflict and Dispute Resolution, 2017, University of Oregon Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, 2014, Ohio University AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Northern Ireland: The Troubles Youth and Gender in Conflict: Masculinities GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Jubitz Peacebuilder Travel Award, University of Oregon, 2017 Jubitz Peacebuilder Travel Award, University of Oregon, 2016 Magna cum laude, Ohio University, 2014 Phi Beta Kappa, Ohio University, 2014 v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my sincere gratitude for Dr. Baxter’s guidance and support in the preparation of this thesis. I also thank Profs. Cohen and Montague for providing their valuable insight and feedback. I thank my family and friends for their unconditional love and support. I am greatly appreciative of the mental health, community, and youth work professionals I interviewed in Northern Ireland who provided me critical information for this thesis. I thank my friends in Northern Ireland who always make me feel at home and were eager to help me throughout my fieldwork. Most of all, I am incredibly grateful for the men who were willing to tell me their stories and discuss sensitive topics. Thank you for your time and allowing me to share your narratives, and I hope you find this thesis to your liking. vi For Oisín and Pearse vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. WE MISSED OUT ON THE TROUBLES .............................................................. 1 Poster Boys of the Troubles ................................................................................... 1 A Wee Country: Synopsis of Northern Ireland’s History ...................................... 6 17th-Century: Plantation of Ulster .................................................................... 6 1916-1921: Easter Rising and the Irish Free State........................................... 7 1922-1963: “A Static Society”......................................................................... 8 1964-1994: Civil Rights Movement and the Troubles .................................... 9 1994-1998: Road to Peace ............................................................................... 11 Male Victims of the Troubles .......................................................................... 13 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 15 Map of Thesis ........................................................................................................ 18 II. “A SEDUCTIVE FORCE:” EXAMINING MASCULINITIES AND YOUNG MEN’S STUDIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND .................................................... 22 Theories of Masculinity ......................................................................................... 22 Hegemonic Masculinity ................................................................................... 22 Hierarchies of Masculinity ............................................................................... 23 Nationalism and Militarized Masculinities ...................................................... 25 Masculinities in Northern Ireland ......................................................................... 27 Paramilitaries………... .................................................................................... 27 Militarized Masculinities after Conflict ........................................................... 30 Images of Masculinity in Northern Ireland ...................................................... 31 The Hardman and Traditional Irish Masculinity ................................. 32 Green and Orange Masculinities .......................................................... 35 Examining Young Men in Northern Ireland .......................................................... 38 Introducing Masculinity and Young Men’s Studies ........................................ 39 Young Men and Violence ................................................................................ 41 Peacebuilding and Transitioning Masculinities ............................................... 42 viii Chapter Page III. GROWING PAINS: NAVIGATING ADOLESCENCE AND THE DOMAINS OF MASCULINITY IN A TRANSITIONING SOCIETY ................................... 46 Demographics of Participants ................................................................................ 49 Findings: Domestic ................................................................................................ 50 Stability ............................................................................................................ 50 The Culture of Silence ..................................................................................... 52 Protecting/Defending the Self .......................................................................... 55 Father’s Inspiration… ...................................................................................... 56 Transgenerational Relationships ...................................................................... 57 Communal……………... ...................................................................................... 60 Everyday Violence ........................................................................................... 60 Marginalization and Conforming to Peer Pressure .......................................... 63 Communities of Support .................................................................................. 67 Global….. .............................................................................................................. 70 Influential International Actors ........................................................................ 70 Breaking Barriers at University ....................................................................... 72 Traveling Abroad and Masculinity .................................................................. 74 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 77 IV. “A PERVASIVE, VIOLENT APATHY:” POLITICAL DISENGAGEMENT AND IMPACTS ON MENTAL HEALTH ........................................................... 81 Political Apathy: The Peace Process and Post-Conflict Politics .......................... 86 Reactions to the Peace Process ....................................................................... 86 Political Participation ...................................................................................... 90 “Fed Up!”: Reactions to Post-Conflict Politics .............................................. 92 Youth are the Future ....................................................................................... 97 A Violent Apathy: Males’ Mental Health and Well-Being .................................. 99 “Get on with It:” Coping and the Culture of Silence ....................................... 99 Continuum of Violent Masculinities ................................................................ 104 A Pervasive Apathy ............................................................................................... 108 ix Chapter Page V. “THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A MAN FROM BELFAST:” THE AMBIGUOUS PARADIGM OF