The Role of Masculinity Norms in the Formation of School Bullying

Abstract

<p><em>The article presents an analytical review of domestic and foreign publications highlighting the problem of school bullying in the context of adolescents&rsquo; adherence to the norms of traditional masculinity. It is necessary to consider school bullying through the prism of how gender stereotypes become dangerous for those boys who do not feel a sense of belonging to this large social group due to the fact that they do not fully comply with normative male behavior. Such children will be subject to ridicule and attempts to adjust their behavior to the appropriate norm both from the peers and, probably, from the teachers. Recent studies in several countries show that school bullying affects up to 35% of children. Most often, boys are involved in bullying and practices of physical abuse. Traditional norms of masculinity prescribe them and encourage aggressive, active behavior, competition and the avoidance of weakness and passivity. These standards prohibit boys from being tender, crying, and provoking aggression in response to an attack. Those boys who cannot fight back are bullied by other boys.</em></p>