Citation

Kalish R, Kimmel M. Social determinants of child health and wellbeing 2010; 19(4): 451-464.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Flinders University)

DOI

10.5172/hesr.2010.19.4.451

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

School shootings have become more common in the United States in recent years. Yet, as media portrayals of these 'rampages' shock the public, the characterisation of this violence obscures an important point: many of these crimes culminate in suicide, and they are almost universally committed by males. We examine three recent American cases, which involve suicide, to elucidate how the culture of hegemonic masculinity in the US creates a sense of aggrieved entitlement conducive to violence. This sense of entitlement simultaneously frames suicide as an appropriate, instrumental behaviour for these males to underscore their violent enactment of masculinity. © 2002-2011 eContent Management.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Masculinity; Sociology; Mass murder; School shootings