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Q. What factors make some all-male peer groups more likely to engage in
violence? Explain using examples.

The safety and justice of our society is heavily impacted by the experiences of crime,
this is further influenced by the rates of violent and criminal behaviour amongst some
all-male peer groups and the connection between the contributing factors. This
essay explores these contributing factors by identifying the dynamics of some all-
male peer groups that are likely to engage in violent behaviour. The connection
between violence engaged by some all-male peer groups can be simply clarified
through the basic understanding of psychological adjustments and the
implementation of social paradigms (Klasios 2019). However, this essay focuses on
the underlying factors that influence these groups to engage in violence. Drawing on
statistics and social theories such as militarism and hegemonic masculinity, this
essay is able to explain the violent behaviour amongst some all-male peer groups as
being related to the early-onset experiences of school sports and portrayals of war,
which ultimately encourage violence. Furthermore, this essay also explores
instances of male dominancy that encourage violent behaviour, through the harsh
realities of male sexual conquest. This argument is illustrated by outlining the notions
of male patriarchal peer support and examples of fraternity groups. Additionally, this
essay considers the misuse of alcohol amongst some all-male peer groups as it
continuously proves to be a substantial influence to violent behaviour (Ullman,
Karabatsos & Koss 1999). Therefore, this essay argues that some all-male peer
groups are likely to engage in violence due to the contributing factors of premature
exposure to violent behaviour that is socially glorified, conceptions of male
dominancy through sexual conquest and the misuse of alcohol.

It is important to note that statistic evaluation and modern-day examples highlight the
remarkable impression that male violent behaviour has on today’s society. Flood &
Pease (2009) discuss the context of violent behaviour and supporting organisations,
which involve, sporting groups, fraternities and the military. Subsequently, violent
behaviour is either criminalised or contrastingly admired through the propagation of
male sports and war. Furtuna (2014) interestingly highlights that in every society

Rowanne Hawchar – 18605235 – Gender, Violence & Crime Essay – Word Count: 2095
males are immensely involved in partaking in violent behaviour, and that this is due
to the statistics on intragroup aggressions. Goldstein (2001) explains that this fact is
linked to the biosocial product of war as it creates a field of male aggression which
further links crime to theories of masculinity. Multiple studies have been conducted in
order to highlight the difference between gendered crimes, which revealed that
males committed homicide 26 times more than what females did (Daly & Wilson
1994). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2017) also evaluated the offending rates
between males and females, which revealed that there are 3,139 male offenders per
every 100,000 Australians. This is a notable statistic that has been stable since
2008, further showing that male offender rates are more than triple of female
offender rates (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017). Additional statistics also portray
the influence of peer groups and violent behaviour as a 2007 study showed that
62.6% of youth members were offending within a peer group (Crime Statistics
Agency 2017). This is a significant proportion, as the Crime Statistics Agency (2017)
further highlights that these youth offenders, tend to be males who are involved in a
peer group.

Furthermore, as the glorification of male violence within sports and war has been
considered, it is important to discuss the vilification of male violence shown within
fraternity groups. Valenti’s (2014) article shed alight on the concerning statistics that
uncover numerous studies which found that males who join fraternity groups are
three times more likely to adopt violent behaviour and commit crimes such as rape.
A further study conducted by Foubert (2013) also confirmed that fraternities
encourage the culture of violence amongst male peer groups and warrants criminal
behaviour as a norm. Moreover, the rates on alcohol abuse amongst some all-male
peer groups portray the significant impact it has on violent behaviour. Grant et al.
(2006) accentuates that the highest rates of alcohol misuse occur between the ages
of 18 to 29, with a majority of these individuals being college students (Larimer et al.
2001). Many studies indicate that fraternity groups are at an increased risk of alcohol
abuse, which ultimately prompts violent behaviour, in comparison to non-fraternity
members (Weschler et al. 1999; Larimer et al. 2001).

Early-onset experiences of school sports and interpretations of war contribute to the

likelihood of some all-male peer groups engaging in violent behaviour. These factors

Rowanne Hawchar – 18605235 – Gender, Violence & Crime Essay – Word Count: 2095
unintentionally boast ideals of masculinity, which can clarify notions of violent
behaviour for youth members. This can be further comprehended through the social
theories of hegemonic masculinity and militarism. Hegemonic masculinity is a gender
practice that is characterised by patriarchal standards as it supports male dominancy
and female subordination (Connell 2005). Kreager (2007) interestingly discusses
how this ideology encourages gender imbalances within society as it promotes
aggression, competition, and male dominancy whilst rejecting concepts of femininity.
Therefore, some all-male peer groups become more likely to interpret this social
paradigm and adopt violent behaviour in comparison to those who don’t represent
hegemonic masculinity and show components of peace and order (Connell 2005).
This is clearly portrayed within contemporary society as the early experience of
school sports encourages violence amongst some all-male peer groups. Whilst
school sports do have a positive impact on student life, it also contributes as a factor
of violent behaviour as it accepts and even encourages aggression (Wenn 1989).
School sports inadvertently instill power, competitiveness and force within youth
members, which later develop into violent behaviour (Messner 1990). This becomes
more interesting as there is a clear connection between sport and war, as they incite
notions of male aggression and violence within some all-male peer groups. Both
these constructs have an impact on society and contribute to the underlying issue as
they portray masculine strength through violence, and warrant male dominance
through social glorification (Connell 1995). Connell (1995) reassures hegemonic
masculinity ideals by further emphasizing the concept of militarism through Kraska’s
(2007) notions. Kraska (2007) explains that within militarism, it is believed that in
order for an individual to efficiently solve a problem, they must use force and the
threat of violence. This conception is further portrayed in the form of war and sports,
which is taught in the early years of school. Therefore, youth members are subject to
interpretation and could understand these concepts as a way of society glorifying
violent behaviour. Statistics and social theories clearly represent this contributing
factor, as they highlight two specific all-male peer groups, such as male sports
groups and the military. The propagation of war and sports ultimately encourages
violence, as this behaviour is admired and respected within society. Therefore,
through the early on-set experiences of school sports and interpretations of war,
some all-male peer groups become more likely to partake in violent behaviour.

Rowanne Hawchar – 18605235 – Gender, Violence & Crime Essay – Word Count: 2095
Male patriarchal peer support is a contributing factor to the prospect of some all-male
peer groups engaging in violent behaviour. This can be further understood through
DeKeseredy & Schwartz’s (2013) male peer support theory, which accentuates the
concept that certain all-male peer groups justify, support and encourage the abuse of
women. This theory emerged in 1988, however has become subject to modification,
with further researchers implementing this concept into contemporary society
(DeKeseredy & Schwartz 2013). Franklin, Bouffard and Travis (2012) applied this
theory, despite its complexities, to fraternities as a focus to all-male peer groups.
Whilst considering the statistics and theories, it is important to note that through
many studies fraternity groups were found to be more likely to commit violent crimes
such as rape, in comparison to others (Franklin, Bouffard and Travis 2012;
DeKeseredy & Schwartz 2013). Studies also uncovered that fraternity members are
closely linked to the harsh realities of physical sexual coercion and aggression
(Schwartz & Nogrady 1996; Koss and Cleveland 1996; DeKeseredy & Schwartz
2013). This can be further understood through the male support theory as other male
group members encourage aggressive behaviour, therefore leading to male
dominancy and sexual misconduct. This appalling reality has become an ongoing
concern within society, as male group members continue to become more likely to
partake in violent behaviour due to the surrounding male patriarchal peer support.
Kelly (2000) discusses the rise in sexual misconduct cases involving an all-male
peer group, and describes the nature of this crime as one of the most sinister
portrayals of patriarchal control. Male sexual misconduct boasts notions of masculine
dominancy and female subordination, thus increasing the likelihood of violent
behaviour. Furthermore, male patriarchal peer support as a contributing factor to
violence has become evident within contemporary society through all-male peer
groups such as fraternities. This has become clear over the years, as sexual
misconduct cases have increased within university and college campuses, further
urging institutions to take a ‘crack down’ stance on violent behaviour represented by
all-male peer groups (McLeod 2015, p.1). Therefore, it is coherent that male
patriarchal peer support is a key contributing factor to the likelihood of violent
behaviour represented by some all-male peer groups.

Alcohol misuse demonstrated by some all-male peer groups encourages the

likelihood of violent behaviour. This contributing factor is acknowledged through

Rowanne Hawchar – 18605235 – Gender, Violence & Crime Essay – Word Count: 2095
multiple social studies that ultimately determine the frequency of violence amongst
males and females due to alcohol abuse (Singh Et Al. 2015). Alcohol misuse can be
result of many underlying issues, however, it is important to note that for some all-
male peer groups, alcohol abuse can become part of a social norm in order to fit in
and avoid exclusion. This can be further comprehended with the ‘doing masculinity’
theory, which intends to explain the reasons for violent behaviour, as it discusses
how males ‘do masculinity’ and whether they can challenge the heteronormative
standards and resist dominant constructs of masculinity (Kehler 2004). Violent and
aggressive behaviour is a key aspect of ‘doing masculinity’, as a result of individuals
attempting to rationalise Connell’s (2005) hegemonic masculinity theory which
undoubtedly focuses on male dominancy. Therefore, when considering the ‘doing
masculinity’ theory within some all-male peer groups, it is evident that alcohol misuse
can be a catalyst for violent behaviour. This is demonstrated within some all-male
peer groups such as fraternities, which continuously instil negative social influences
such as alcohol abuse, perceived standards and the strong desire for social
acceptance (Capone Et Al. 2007). Furthermore, Ullman, Karabatsos & Koss (2006)
conducted a national sample in order to study the concerning issue of alcohol and
sexual aggression amongst college men. They interestingly uncovered that alcohol
abuse amongst the participants played a role in the outcomes of violent behaviour
and sexual assaults (Ullman, Karabatsos & Koss 2006). This can be further clarified
through the ‘doing masculinity’ theory as Jewkes (2005) highlights that social
establishments, such as all-male fraternities, encourage negative influences of
alcohol misuse and as a result these group members ‘do’ masculinity in forms of
sexual aggression as a way to confirm their virility. Additionally, youth members
involved in an all-male peer group tend to portray violent behaviour due to alcohol
misuse as way of managing adversity. Whether this adversity is related to social
exclusion or lack of resources, the result of violent behaviour is foreseeable
(Godenzi, Schwartz & DeKeseredy 2001). Therefore, it is evident through the
example of fraternities and the ‘doing masculinity’ theory, that there is a strong link
between alcohol misuse and violence committed by a male perpetrator involved in a
all-male peer group.

In conclusion, this essay outlines and discusses the factors that make some all-male
peer groups more likely to engage in violent behaviour. By identifying some all-male

Rowanne Hawchar – 18605235 – Gender, Violence & Crime Essay – Word Count: 2095
peer group dynamics, this essay was able to explore the contributing factors and link
social theories and contemporary examples to the fundamental issue. Violent
behaviour within some all-male peer groups can be a result from early-onset
experiences of school sports and interpretations of war. This was comprehended
through the social paradigms of hegemonic masculinity the militarism, which outlined
that male sporting groups and fraternities encourage violent behaviour through social
glorification. Additionally, violent behaviour amongst some all-male peer groups can
be understood through the examples of male dominancy. Throughout the essay,
there was a clear link between violent behaviour and notions of male patriarchal peer
support, which was represented in all-male fraternity groups. Therefore, the harsh
realities of sexual conquest and aggression due to male peer support emerged as a
contributing factor. And lastly, the misuse of alcohol is a factor that encourages some
all-male peer groups to be more likely to engage in violence. This was represented
as a substantial influence to violent behaviour and could be further comprehended
through the ‘doing masculinity’ theory, which emphasised that alcohol abuse is a way
to maintain masculinity and uphold negative social norms.

Rowanne Hawchar – 18605235 – Gender, Violence & Crime Essay – Word Count: 2095
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