explanation for male violence

Research has identified 11 key masculine norms linked to male violence:

• Winning: The imperative to win, equating success with masculinity.

• Emotional Control: Men are discouraged from showing vulnerability; emotions like crying are stigmatized.

• Risk-Taking: Engaging in risky behavior is often celebrated.

• Power Over Women: Dominance and control in relationships.

• The Playboy: Emphasizing promiscuity as masculine.

• Self-Reliance: Valuing independence and self-sufficiency.

• Disdain for Homosexuals: Negative attitudes towards non-heteronormative identities.

• Pursuit of Status: Aspiration for social standing and recognition.

Gender Differences in Constructs

• Men and women obtained different scores on masculine norms, with men typically scoring significantly higher on nine out of the eleven constructs.

• The only areas where women scored equally or higher were the primacy of work and pursuit of status.

• The research highlights that traits associated with these norms are perceived as more masculine.

Violence and Masculinity

• Men involved in violent situations had notably higher scores on constructs like winning, risk-taking, and disdain for homosexuals.

• Hegemonic Masculinity:

  • Refers to cultural representations of dominant masculine ideals that reinforce the subordination of women.

  • Suggests that gender is not simply an identity but is actively constructed through behavior, following social expectations.

Social Learning of Violence

• Boys may learn violent behaviors from male role models, such as their fathers, aligning with Social Learning Theory.

• This understanding can explain lower rates of violent offending among females, as femininity often is not associated with violence.

Emotional Expectations

• Cultural beliefs dictate emotional expressions differently for men and women:

  • Men: Expected to display emotional neutrality and avoid vulnerability.

  • Women: Expected to be nurturing yet discouraged from expressing anger.

Links Between Masculinity and Violence

• Violence is often seen as a normative aspect of masculinity, and for some men, it can serve as a means of achieving social recognition and status.

• Working-class men may resort to violence as a strategy to affirm masculinity when conventional successes, such as financial gains, are unattainable.

Performing Masculinity

• The burden of proof for masculinity is on men to perform and assert their identity socially.

• Crime and violence can become significant avenues to establish and communicate masculinity, particularly in communities lacking access to conventional means of doing so.

• Reputation plays a crucial role in male identity negotiation and reinforcement of masculine norms,

Conclusion

• There are important processes linking masculine norms with the likelihood of men experiencing or perpetrating violence. Understanding these constructs can provide insight into societal issues surrounding gender and violence.