‘Taking Boys Seriously’ Report

The ‘Taking Boys Seriously’ report presents the findings of a five year research study conducted by the Centre for Young Men’s Studies, funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Justice.  The study followed a cohort of 378 male pupils from nine post-primary schools - capturing their thoughts and experiences on an annual basis between School Years 8 and 12. 

The fieldwork commenced in the academic year 2006/7 and concluded in the academic year 2010/11.  The specific objectives of the research were to increase understanding of: factors that may contribute to male academic underachievement and practical ways to address this; the value of education and how school can become a more positive learning experience; non-formal educational approaches; male transitions through post-primary school and beyond post-primary school to higher education/work, and factors that impact upon future employment aspirations; transitions from boy to man; how experiences of violence in a post-conflict society impact upon education and learning. 

These objectives were investigated through identifying and exploring factors that impacted upon the social, physical, psychological and emotional well-being of boys during their five year experience of post-primary education.  The report can be downloaded in Portable Document Format at: www.deni.gov.uk/taking_boys_seriously_final.docx.pdf