NCJ Number
211096
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 411-422
Date Published
August 2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article presents the argument that masculinity should be included among the dynamic risk factors for male to male violence.
Abstract
The article begins with the question of why a man would put aside his rational interests as an individual in order to commit a violent act against another man. The dynamic risk factors involved in the phenomenon of man to man violence are poorly understood and, as such, the author posits that an analysis of men’s experiences of themselves and of other men within a patriarchal society could inform the understanding of male violence. Masculinity is defined as a factor common to all men and therefore can be studied to understand broad patterns of violence between men. In order to develop masculinity as a dynamic risk factor, it is necessary to isolate masculinity from other risk factors for violence as well as from other factors influencing men’s identity. Two categories of violence are presented in which an individual man may exhibit his masculinity: (1) violence against other men as worthy rivals, and (2) violence not directed against other men due to their unworthy status as rival. The development of masculinity as a risk factor is particularly expected to enhance the understanding of violence involving racism and homophobia. The author argues that including masculinity as a dynamic risk factor could enhance violence intervention programming and increase the public’s safety. References