Struggles with masculinity and school shootings
Could struggling with masculinity be the cause of school shootings? Yes, it is. A 20-year study of 31 boys involved in 29 school shootings proved it. Their motives were related to a lack of acceptance from their peers which led to grudges against classmates and teachers, ending in anger, depression and violence. At the bottom of this were their reputations for not being masculine enough. All of these boys were bullied for not being masculine or were rejected by female classmates which added to their distress. They were taunted with labels such as “homo” and “cry baby” which further damaged them. Many of the shooters had serious mental health diagnoses and many others came from abusive homes. About a third of the boys reacted with explosive outbursts to stress. Students need to be taught about the unintended consequences of bullying.
