Male Killers.
A month or so ago, Virginia Tech went through a very devastating experience that affected the whole nation. In the wake of the massacre, Channel 5 news (KSTP) did an interview with a Sociology professor at the University of Minnesota that focused on the killer in the massacre, a male student. The reporter asked many questions regarding the gender of the killer. Majority of serial killers, mass murderers, etc. have been males. There is always an exception to the rule but why do men kill more then women? In society, we place a huge importance on making sure men are manly. As little boys, they are given GI- Joes, cars, trains, weapons, whereas women are given dolls, Barbies, dresses, make-up. We tell boys that they have to suck up whatever they have wrong with them and fight their own battles. They are taught to be tough and that they should not cry. Boys eventually grow up to be men and as they grow up, they typically turn into these harden people that do not like to show emotion and who take care of themselves like they were told many years before. With this harden attitude, men create this idea that if trouble comes around, they need to take care of it themselves. Men also believe that they have to be powerful in every aspect of what they do: relationships, teamwork, work, etc. This idea of power sometimes over takes some men in society and they end up becoming a murderer, mass murderer, serial killer.
This interview relates to the course because we talked about how social construction affects society. We discussed how men and women differ throughout society and within this realm, men and women do differ. I discussed how boys and girls are treated when they grow up which is a social construction that society places on every girl and boy born.
Comments
During the week of the Virginia Tech, I also watched couple of programs on MSNBC and Fox, if I remember it right. Although they did not go into depth in explaining society’s role in dictating gender roles (men being tough, masculine, etc.) and influencing these maniacs, the program did discuss how majority of the shootings/massacres that took place in the U.S. were almost always perpetrated by men. One particular program did a somewhat countdown of the worst shootings in the U.S. history. From massacres in the 1970’s to the Virginia Tech’s shootings, all but two of the perpetrators were men.
I agree with on your points about how men are made to be tough and masculine, and to deal with their own problems. Like you said, boys are given GI-Joes as children, and are looked down upon if they do not fit in the role of tough-man perfectly. This reminds of me of the reading for a unit in the class. This article discussed the book, I’m Glad I’m a Boy! I’m Glad I‘m Girl! This infamous book illustrates the jobs and activities boys and girls do; and of course they are different for each gender. Boys are shown to fix things, and solve problems, while girls need things fixed by boys. This book might not be in use anymore, for teaching boys and girls their activities, however, the gender roles portrayed in it are still prominent in how men and women behave in society, especially when it comes to the men-don‘t-need-help idea. So it is clear how society influences these mass murderers, although there is always an important psychological aspect of their criminal behaviors. Media also perpetuates the tough-man -can-do-anything image of men. Almost all action movies have males as the protagonist. Hence, gender roles and the expectations put on men, (and women), have influenced these male-dominated massacres, as much as psychological problems.
Posted by: Sadia Mumin | May 12, 2007 2:04 PM
Thought I agree with the argument that the guys reactions reflect in part the way society have brought them up. I also do not thik that it is because wemen are told to play with doles that they do not go on killing spree. We all have to admit one fact that people have desagree for long time. despite all controversy femmelle are made to procreate, they give life thus is had to take it specialy in a very unhuman ways. women do kill as well in some instance and maybe some time in very mean way but not just because... there is alway a very logical explanation. But these man are just evil,sick. No one ever teach a man to go and kill other yes he is thaught of being though, but not cruel. these acts are just not explained by any thing else except that society actually feled them, maybe their parent did not care enough, maybe they joined a rwong crowed, maybe they were just sick in the head and no one saw it. that is the only way we cold blame society for these viciouses acts. Most societal normes helps to better oneself either for society benefit of for oneself own interest, not for the destruction of either.
1. When would American society make it impossible fro people to have guns? why do we realy need them if it is not to destry other human being, why do we get suprise when it hapens?
2. Is there some one ther that think like me that we need societal reform and restructuring? maybe if we care more about every'one than our own interest thing will change...
Posted by: Nathalie Buhendwa | May 15, 2007 12:49 PM