Socialization into conflict

The religious schools in Northern Ireland are permeated by many of the symbols, beliefs, attitudes and values of the community which they serve, to the exclusion of those of the other religion. Many questions can be put to Protestant school boys which would be unrealistic if asked in Catholic schools and vice versa. The fault lines of the political system in Northern Ireland run deeply into the rising generation. What is responsible for such division? After a brief review of the literature and methods of studying political socialization among children and young people, this thesis reviews the political history of education in Northern Ireland and raises some of the educational issues which have divided the adult population of Ulster. The central part of the thesis is concerned with the analysis of replies given by 3,000 Ulster schoolboys to questions about politics and society asked during a time of disorder. In particular, attitudes to Government and discord are examined in the light of school, social, religious, and national structures and beliefs, and are discussed in the context of divisive educational issues. The aggregate pattern of influences upon schoolboys' political attitudes is assessed towards the end of the thesis with regard to the relative importance of school and community influences upon political learning. Finally, the relevance of survey findings for the future of educational and political life in Northern Ireland is assessed.

Resource Type

DOI

EThOS ID

Date Created

Former identifier

Relações

Miniatura	Título	Data de carga	Acesso	Ações
	PDF for thesis 471221_VOL1	2021-07-02	Público	Baixar
	PDF for thesis 471221_VOL2	2021-07-02	Público	Baixar