Boys, masculinity and school violence: reaping what we sow

Abstract

In this paper the author explores the relationship between masculinity and violence. She begins by pointing out that although all of the recent school shootings in the US have been perpetrated by boys, very few are associating the acts with the gender of the offenders. Perhaps this connection is not made because society is so conditioned to the fact that men and boys have always made up the preponderance of violent offenders in the US. In this paper the attitudes and behaviors associated with the socially constructed culture of masculinity that lend themselves to male violence and aggression are explored. It includes a discussion of a Freirean approach to the problem and concludes with practical suggestions for transformation.