Manchester University Press Teens and Territory in 'Post-Conflict' Belfast: If Walls Could Talk

This book provides a timely and necessary response to the neglect of the perceptions and experiences of young people growing up in ‘post conflict’ societies. Despite a great deal of research on the social, economic and political consequences of the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, few studies have examined young people’s attitudes to and experiences of living in a ‘post-conflict’ society. We still know relatively little about how young people relate to concepts such as space, place and territory in divided societies. This book addresses this vacuum. By presenting a detailed rich ethnographic account of how teenagers living in segregated localities in Belfast access and use local and city centre space, this book contributes to knowledge about the role of young people in both sustaining conflict and overcoming divisions. Teenagers’ spatial practices provide insight into how the regenerated, rebranded, repackaged, ‘post conflict’ city is experienced, perceived, negotiated and imagined by a group whose voices are often absent or regarded as peripheral. While the book presents a case study of Belfast, its appeal is not limited to those interested in Ireland. Rather, through this detailed case study, the book aims to address wider questions concerning the role of young people in politically contested societies. The book underlines the need to take on board young people’s perspectives and contributes to knowledge regarding appropriate ways to engage young people in research.