An invisible problem - Everyday violence against girls in schools

This article shows how 'normalized masculinity' and its effects are operative but invisible in public discussions of targeted violence against girls. In school shootings, dating violence and sexual harassment, boys assaulted girls who rejected them or otherwise caused the boys gender distress. Against this backdrop, the analysis situates recent school shootings, dating violence and sexual harassment on a continuum of unrecognized violence against young girls. Through a media analysis of 13 United States school shootings that took place between 1996 and 2002, it shows how gender played a significant influencing role. It then puts forward a framework for efforts to prevent violence rooted in damaging masculinity ideologies.