Bringing together unique international research from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Europe, this book presents a detailed examination of the violence perpetrated by males and females within the context of childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Based on illuminating empirical studies it accurately locates the societal implications of violence against males and females as well as the legal, social and public responses to violence.

Contents: Mapping the discourse of heterosexual interpersonal violence; Theoretical challenges to the study of heterosexual interpersonal violence; Learning the difference that gender makes; Heteronormativity and sexual coercion: adolescents practicing gender; Investing in masculinity: men who use interpersonal violence; Investing in difference: violent women and masculinity in disguise?; Engendering violence?; Bibliography; Index.

Myra J. Hird, Dr, School of Sociology and Social Policy, Queen's University, Belfast, UK UKBA (Western, 1985), BSW (Windsor, 1990), MSW (McGill, 1992), D.Phil. (Oxford, 1996). 1995-1996 Temporary Lecturer, Oxford University; 1996-1999 Lecturer, Auckland University; 2000-present Lecturer, Queen's University Belfast. Co-editor of Sociology for the Asking (Oxford University Press, forthcoming) as well as over twenty articles on various topics including gender, sexuality and violence.