Abstract
Scholars have begun to identify the links between incidents of mass murder and misogynistic behaviors. From the 2014 Isla Vista campus shootings in California through to an incident of mass violence with a van in Toronto in 2017, identifying as an “incel” has been cited as a motivating factor in the perpetrators' pre-attack writings. “Incel” stands for “involuntary celibates,” an online subculture of males displaying rage at females, expressing fandom for mass shooters, and fantasizing about violence. Further complicating matters is the frequent overlap between intimate partner violence and/or stalking with acts of mass violence. In this chapter, suggestions are advanced for ways to effectively assess the risk of mass violence when misogynistic behaviors are present. The potential use of risk assessment instruments is discussed, in addition to ways to devise an effective threat assessment system.
TopMasculinity In Crisis?
Theorists have postulated that a “crisis of masculinity” has been caused by a destabilizing paradigm shift in gender roles (Clare, 2000; Jefferson, 2002). When talking about gender roles, Goffman (1979, p. 8) argued there is a “schedule” for the portrayal of masculinity and femininity. Measures like the Bern Sex Role Inventory (1974) have been used to calculate how masculine, feminine or androgynous one is. For instance, scores on the submissiveness scale correlate positively with femininity and negatively with masculinity. This highlights the idea that such a measure is a “conglomerate of stereotypes” (Yonge, 1978, p. 1245); thus, rendering it reductive and not representative of the genders. It is more accurate to instead view masculinity as a descriptive element of the cultural ideologies and observed behaviors of men. Conceptually, however, it is ill-defined because masculinity is often conceived of differently, frequently within the same text (Collier, 1998, pp. 16, 84). This means that Treadwell and Garland’s (2011, p. 3) assertions that “masculinity is multidimensional, varied and malleable” and there exists a “multiplicity of masculinities” are credible.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Manosphere: A space for interests, beliefs, and factions as they pertain to men’s rights. Incel subculture exists within this space.
Threat Assessment: A process to identify and thereafter manage individuals of concern on the basis of a threat or other concerns being flagged.
Misogyny: A hatred, aversion to, or contempt for females.
Hypermasculinity: A toxic interpretation of masculinity predicated on characteristics like aggression, pride, and the absence of “feminine” emotions like empathy.
Gender Role Stress: A failure to meet the required characteristics of the masculinity or femininity scripts. This has the potential to provoke other behaviors (e.g., violent offending).
Incels: Involuntary celibates, part of an online subculture. Beliefs espoused tend to be misogynistic in nature.
Risk Assessment Instruments: Tools used by law enforcement to focus an investigation and prioritize cases; as well as by criminal justice practitioners to predict reoffending.
Hegemonic masculinity: The dominance of masculinity evident within the most powerful social institutions and positions.