Third ISA Forum of Sociology (July 10-14, 2016)

JS-36

Creating Safety for Youth in a Gendered World

RC34 Sociology of Youth (host committee)
RC32 Women in Society

Language: English

Safe public spaces are intricately linked to social divides created by multiple hierarchies. The social division of gender is a central one: young women typically report feeling greater levels of fear and unsafety in public spaces even when they are more likely to be exposed to gendered violence in private spaces.
This joint session explores the broad concept of youth safety from gendered violence in public spaces from institutional, interactional, and activist perspectives. In response to sexual assault on US college campuses and the streets of India, to on-line torment of feminist bloggers and to the kidnapping of school girls in Nigeria, feminists and youth studies researchers must contribute to theory and practice around creating safety for youth. 
This session integrates youth studies perspectives with gender/intersectional approaches to safe public spaces. The session will examine both theoretical interventions, such as decoupling perceptions of dangerousness and vulnerability from male/female bodies, as well as advocacy and policy interventions that seek to create strategies to promote safety for young people. Posters: