Explores the effects of political violence on children and young people in Northern Ireland. This title begins with a brief historical account of the Northern Irish conflict and the negotiated Belfast Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

Introduction. Children of the Troubles: The Impact of Political Violence in Northern Ireland (Orla T. Muldoon). The Social Cost of the Conflict. Young Men as Victims and Perpetrators of Violence in Northern Ireland: A Qualitative Analysis (Jacqueline Reilly, Orla T. Muldoon, and Clare Byrne). Secular Trends in Substance Use: The Conflict and Young People in Northern Ireland (Kathryn Higgins, Andrew Percy, and Patrick Mc Crystal). The Role of Identity in the Northern Irish Conflict. Children and Socio-Cultural Divisions in Northern Ireland (Karen Trew). Identity Change in Northern Ireland: A Longitudinal Study of Students’ Transition to University (Clare Cassidy and Karen Trew). Peace and Progress? Political and Social Change Among Young Loyalists in Northern Ireland (James W. McAuley). Everyday Social and Psychological Effects of the Conflict. Teachers’ and Pupils’ Educational Experiences and School-Based Responses to the Conflict in Northern Ireland (Rosemary Kilpatrick and Ruth Leitch). The Development of Intergroup Forgiveness in Northern Ireland (Frances McLernon, Ed Cairns, Miles Hewstone, and Ron Smith). Young People and Political Involvement in Northern Ireland (Jean Whyte and Ian Schermbrucker). Conclusion. After the War Comes Peace? An Examination of the Impact of the Northern Ireland Conflict on Young People (Tony Gallagher). 2003 SPSSI Presidential Address. Introduction for Louis A. Penner’s SPSSI Presidential Address (Geoffrey Maruyama). Volunteerism and Social Problems: Making Things Better or Worse? (Louis A. Penner)

This book explores the effects of political violence on children and young people in Northern Ireland. The issues begins with a brief historical account of the Northern Irish conflict and the recently negotiated Belfast Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The issue reviews the extent of young peoples’ experience of conflict in Northern Ireland as well as the likely impact of these experiences on young people’s lives. These include the effects of the conflict on everyday aspects of life, such as school life and availability and use and misuse of drugs. The issue also considers the role that social and national identity has played in maintaining the Northern Irish conflict, by exploring the enduring and polarised nature of children’s political socialisation. Finally, in looking to the future young people’s willingness to forgive and their engagement with the current political processes in Northern Ireland is considered.