Male peer support and male-to-female dating abuse committed by socially displaced male youth: An exploratory study

Youth violence has recently received increased attention in Canada (Tyyska 2001; Sinclair and Boe 1998; Dell and Boe 1997); however, one area that continues to be neglected is male-to-female youth dating abuse. Canadian exploratory research documents the existence of this form of abuse (Poitras and Lavoie 1995; Jaffe et al. 1992); still, this issue has yet to be explored beyond rates of incidence and prevalence. There is a need to understand the dynamics of male-to-female youth dating abuse. Recent research suggests that an important explanatory factor is male peer support (Hearn 1998; Schwartz and DeKeseredy 1997).; While research has demonstrated "the marriage license as a hitting license" (Straus et al. 1981), it has not addressed the reality of many males: abuse against female intimates often begins before marriage. Adolescent dating relationships may be a learning ground for the abuse of women.; Problematizing male-to-female youth dating abuse within the wider social context of male power and dominance, this study integrates feminist theoretical insights with a modified version of male peer support theory. The research addresses three limitations of current male peer support research: (1) the theoretical and empirical reliance on university and married respondents (Schwartz and Nogrady 1996); (2) the dependence on quantitative methodologies (Elloit et al. 1992); and, (3) the inability to theorize male peer support dynamics beyond adult male university students (Sanday 1990). In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 36 male young offenders within an Ontario secure custody facility were conducted to explore the following two research questions: (1) Do socially displaced male youth receive similar types of male peer support for male-to female dating abuse as university/college males? (2) How do male peer support processes operate among socially displaced male youth?; The male peer group provided support for the use of male-to-female dating abuse in several ways and was an important element in the construction of masculinity. Findings are compared to the larger body of male peer support research as well as with studies focusing on youth. Future research directions and avenues for proactive education are presented.