NCJ Number
214907
Journal
Theoretical Criminology Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 147-177
Date Published
May 2006
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This article examines the high incidence of targeted violence that girls encounter in schools by establishing the extent of the problem, discussing theories of masculinity, and articulating the role of normalized masculinities in violence against girls.
Abstract
An important cause of violence against girls rests in the ideology of normalized masculinity. A transformation of cultural consciousness such that violence and revenge fueled by masculinity expectations are not an acceptable social response is absolutely essential. Programs need to address and transform these deeply embedded social ideologies and help boys/young men feel powerful and confident through more civilized behaviors and attitudes. Sexual harassment, dating violence, and school shootings exist on an escalating continuum of violence against girls disguised in normalized masculinities. Males who believe violence to be both their right and a means of demonstrating their manhood use it partly to foster their gender identity in their own and others eyes. This means that prevention strategies need to transform beliefs about gender roles. Schools have a unique opportunity, as well as a responsibility to address the issue of dating violence, sexual harassment, and school shootings, and beliefs linking masculinity with violence. Appendix and references