Incarcerated Young Men, Masculinity, and Trauma

Abstract

The current article is part of a unique comparative study of the experiences and adjustment of 190 incarcerated young men in both Scotland and Canada. In collecting data on the participants’ lives, the authors learned of the multiple traumas and losses many of them had suffered. Many participants however seemed to adhere to a prison masculinity that may constrain help-seeking behavior. Ultimately, this article analyses the levels of trauma that exists in a population of incarcerated young men within the context and alongside of the masculine ideals they appeared to adhere to. This article advocates for gender-responsive trauma-informed care for incarcerated young men that incorporates an exploration and understanding of masculine identity and how it interacts with help-seeking and trauma recovery.