Masculinity, Violence and the Irish Peace Process

Abstract

This paper examines the role of gender in the north of Ireland. This is not to imply that a study of gender relations on its own is adequate to explain recent political developments. Indeed, there is a need to challenge all one-dimensional and reductionist analyses such as those which concentrate solely on ethnicity and including Marxist approaches which are excessively economistic. Whilst giving special attention to gender issues, therefore, the paper will also recognise that these cannot be fully understood unless they are located within the context of social and economic change as well as the politics of ethnic and national identities.