Focusing on the lives of first and second generation British Pakistani young adult men and those approaching middle age, who offend or have offended, and the experiences of their fathers bringing them up in a de-industrialised city, this book examines the influence of social relations on their moves toward and away from crime, particularly the impact of father-son relationships. It seeks to understand their transitions as they aged; the meanings they place on their ethno-cultural, social and economic marginalization; and the licit and illicit opportunities and constraints that influence identity and social integration, and their place in British society. British Pakistanis and Desistance focuses on the distinct social, cultural and economic context and the relations in which their offending and desistance takes place, such as family formation, education, prison, neighbourhood change and long-term changes in the types, availability and quality of work. Sketching a ‘life-course’ approach, it locates desistance theory and its application within the relationship between biography and social structure, using a case study of entrepreneurial criminality as an attempt at recovery from de-industrialisation. An accessible and compelling read, this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology, sociology, desistance, social policy and all those interested in the lived experience of British Pakistani men.

Very little is known about young British male Muslims who offend. Qasim gained unique first-hand insight into the multifaceted lives of a group after spending 4 years studying them. He unwraps their lives, explores their identities and explains what role religion and Pakistani culture play in their criminal behaviour.

Very little is known about young British male Muslims who offend. Qasim gained unique first-hand insight into the multifaceted lives of a group after spending 4 years studying them. He unwraps their lives, explores their identities and explains what role religion and Pakistani culture play in their criminal behaviour.