Geoffrey Pearson, who died in 2013, was one of the outstanding social scientists of the post second world war era. His work spanned social work, social theory, social history, criminology and sociology. In particular, his work has had a huge impact upon studies of youth, youth culture and drugs.
This collection is made up of contributions from scholars producing empirical work on some of the key areas upon which Geoff Pearson established his reputation. All of the writers in this collection have been profoundly influenced by his scholarship. This collection focuses on urban ethnography, race and ethnicity, youth, and drugs. It includes chapters on: women working in male boxing gyms; understanding the English Defence League; Black male adults as an ignored societal group; drug markets and ethnography; and sex, drugs and kids in care.
The result is a cutting edge collection that takes readers into social worlds that are difficult to access, complex, yet utterly normal. Overall this is an exciting and fittingly challenging tribute to one of the UKs most important scholars. This volume will appeal to scholars and students of criminology, sociology, social history and research methodology – in particular ethnography.
Table of Contents:
Introduction. Geoffrey Pearson: 1943-2013 Dick Hobbs
1. They didn’t know whether to "fuck me or fight me": An ethnographic account of North Town boxing gym. Deborah Jump
Part I: Race
2. More than Violent Whites? From Paki Bashing to the English Defence League James Treadwell and Jon Garland
3. From ‘Paki Bashing’ to ‘Muslim Bashing’: UK extremism policies considered Alice Sampson
4. Shame, scandal and respectability amongst the children of the Windrush generation: A Scholarly Omission Kenny Monrose
Part II: Youth
5. Histories of Hooliganism Andrew Davies
6. The Same Old Song?: The Contemporary Relevance of Subcultures Andy Wilson
7. Illegal Rave Security: Keeping trouble out of the London free party scene Matt Taylor
Part III: Drugs and Illegal Markets
8. On Tap: Organised Crime and the Illicit Trade in Tobacco, Alcohol and Pharmaceuticals Charlie Edwards and Calum Jeffray
9. Reconsidering Middle Markets Dan Silverstone
10. Fear and Loathing in a Dirty Old Town: Violent Notes from A Drug Market Ethnography Brendan Marsh
11. Drug markets, ethnography and Geoff Pearson: A tribute to the man of the people Dan Briggs
12. "Ethiopia or Utopia?": Reflections on the New Heroin Users Mark Gilman
Part IV: Geoff’s Final Publication
13. Drugs, Care and Sex Work: Sex and Survival Jenni Ward and Geoff Pearson
[Jenni Ward and Geoff Pearson]
About the Author :
Dick Hobbs is currently Professor of Sociology at the University of Western Sydney, Emeritus Professor at the University of Essex, Visiting Professor at Goldsmiths College and an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.
