“As we begin a new year,” UVM grad Laura Kiesel (above) writes at politico.com, “it’s time to have a more nuanced discussion about what might really be to blame for the trend of mass shootings in America—as well as the gun violence epidemic more broadly. No, it isn’t mental illness. It’s gender. If we want to stop the problem of mass shootings, we need to fix the problem of toxic masculinity.” Specifically . . .
According to sociologist Eric Madfis, the male gender-mass shooter connection may stem from cultural standards of how men are expected to react to stress and perceived victimization as compared to women.
“Women tend to internalize blame and frustration, while men tend to externalize it through acts of aggression,” says Madfis, who is an associate professor at the criminal justice department at University of Washington-Tacoma and author of a 2014 journal article exploring the intersectional identities of American mass murderers.
Boys will be boys? Not a bit of it!
This isn’t just because of how men are built physically.
While it’s true that having higher testosterone is often related to aggression, recent research indicates that testosterone is likely a result rather than a cause of violent behavior. This suggests that societal influences probably play a larger role in violence than any biological factor.
After all, our culture is saturated in messages—whether in the media, in our military, in sports, at the workplace, or in our education and health care systems—that embrace and even endorse a distorted view of masculinity, which tends to value and encourage expressions of aggression by men.
Bottom line: Ms. Kiesel is convinced that mass murderers aren’t born, they’re made. America’s “hyper-masculine” society conditions men like Elliot Rodger (the California shooter who complaining about his virginity before stabbing his roommates and shooting random strangers) to become mass murderers and “gun violence” vectors.
“If violence was just due to genetics, [mass shootings] would not be happening with increasing frequency or occur so much more often in the United States than other places,” says Madfis. “It’s time to have a close look at our culture and what is going in terms of how masculinity is defined and characterized, which is often as something that is performed or ‘proven’ through acts of aggression and even violence.”
Where I grew up “masculine” values included physical courage, honesty, honor, empathy and self-sacrifice. But then I played soccer, drove a Mazda RX7 and learned to cook. Go figure.
NOTE: Ad hominem comments about Ms. Kiesel will be [flame] deleted. Keep it civil.
NJ has also introduced a 5 round magazine limit , ( A – 655 ) good times.
Gentlemen don’t wear body armor.
Their valet wears body armor.
New Jersey will fix this with bill A – 655 , a 5 Round Magazine Limit.
Yeah, sure, a bunch of emasculated Democucks killed people because they were infected with “toxic masculinity.” Toxic feminism is to blame for most of the developed world’s political problems, because “feminism” stopped being about equal rights for women a long time ago and became a tool of the most insane leftist whackos.
The correct term is “hysteria.” It’s been recognized for millenia, we just recently began indulging it to our detriment. The biggest feminist con was convincing men that crazy women should be tolerated in society.
FLAME DELETED
Masculinity has been destroyed in this country by the liberals. With all the politically correct bullcrap. Meaning everyone gets a trophy, what ever happened to learning the meaning of winning and losing? What ever happened to not making a team and you learned that you were either not good enough or that you needed to work harder next year. All these things have a detrimental affect on kids when they think they are entitled to everything. These are all a part of being Masculine. If you can be a man whether you win big or lose big that is masculine. Masculinity had zero to do with shooting people. I am as masculine as they come I would say, I played sports, I boxed and kickboxed, did a lot of stupid masculine kids stuff growing up and got my but whacked for it, and today I do one of the most dangerous/deadly jobs in the world which not many people would or could do, I learned to shoot pretty young and have been shooting since and you know what…… I have NEVER wanted to shoot someone… EVER…
If invidiously racist gun control is “gun violence prevention” then:
* rape = “mandatory consensual sex”
* genocide = “kinetic population control”
* theft = “permanent, non-consensual borrowing”
* arson = “unsolicited exothermic processes”
It’s not gender, contrary to whatever that misandrist hack who dare to call herself a “journalist” claims in the article. It’s actually because racist, classist, misandrist hypocrites like her have actually effectively destroyed masculinity over the last 60 years; there’s less than absolutely nothing “toxic” about anything other than her favored social policies and politics.
She and other people like her are the very physical embodiment of everything that is wrong in society — and that’s not at all an exaggeration, either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-nzgizjhuo
It would be great, and a heck of a lot cheaper, if all the traditional shotgun manufacturers like Mossberg, etc. would offer a shorter stock and a variety of buttpad extensions, the way many handgun manufacturers offer different backstraps as part of the deal. Not the overpriced “youth” model. Same, as a matter of fact, for manufacturer of AR’s in lieu of the “evil” telescoping stock for people living in the slave states. It would make fitting of smaller people much easier, bringing women, young people, and small bodied people like Asians and (yes) Mexicans and me, too, more easily into the fold of gun ownership. It would slap the gun banners hard in the face if AR and AK stocks were adjustable with buttpad extensions “just like a hunting rifle or shotgun used for deer and duck hunting”.
I’m thinking I don’t need her to teach me anything or explain how the world works.
At what point does acceptable masculinity become toxic? Im thinking just having a c0ck would qualify in her mind…
If all the folks i know from New Jersey would GO BACK and vote they could change the state. At least 3 at my local range – can’t really blame ’em for leaving, but that only leaves the libtards.
I miss the Greek and Latin plurals; it’s a pity they have not carried on in English as once they did.
One criteriON, two or more criteriA.
One forUM, two or more forA.
One datUM, two or more datA.
New Jersey ought to focus on the above; it will be more useful than their current proposal.
Know what’s more reliable than whinging about toxic masculinity when faced with a “gun violence vector”? Make sure you can send a “vector” right back.
I dont agree with it… but i think what shes saying is these non alpha males are trying to be alpha males by killing.
Sexist.
We have freedom of speech, etc., in this country. Everyone has as much right to express something that someone might call “racist” as they do to be a Methodist, Orthodox Jew, or Cubs Fan. (And you think that being a Cubs fan is not a religion?)
The proper response to any charge of “racism” is “so what.”
One military feature …………shoots booolits!
Yes, but CO2 makes oceans boil.
“Toxic Masculinity” is one of those terms like “Ammosexual” that was originally meant to be disparaging, but I’ve grown to love and own. To bear the disdain of anyone who would use either one of those terms as a weapon is to me a great honor.
As long as they don’t take away my bayonet mount. How did they miss that one ?
Is this legal here in Hawaii ? where can I purchase this ?
I own an EBOS by Umarex and its fun as hell w/88 gr air tank inside stock. This would be overkill, if you ask me.
I have one of the earlier versions of the clip for my Glock 17 magazine and I thought it would be problematic but for ten bucks I figured it was worth a try. What I bought on a whim has turned in to my go to EDC when I need to grab a quick spare mag. I own other magazine carriers and holsters as well and I use them all, different situations call for different types of carry and these clips allow for one more carry option.
For years I compted in IPSC with bare naked Wilson1911mags jammed in the back pockets of my Levis. Did pretty well – but that was 30 years or so ago.
The last line got me. What exactly is non-masculine about driving a RX-7?
The first one was generally considered a chick car.
Especially a fire-belching late ’70s/early’80s Gen I, in IMSA/GTU trim.
Yeah, my hair-chick had a GSL-SE back in 82, so what?
Regarding the Buck Rival knife – MADE IN USA!!! True, some Buck knives are made in China. NOT the Rival. No matter where made, Buck’s guarantee is the best in the business!
Why did the eighth grade teacher take the knives from the rednecks in her class? She was teaching subtraction that day and didn’t want bloody fingers on the floor..
I would like you to elaborate for me what exactly you may have been referring to in the final overall category pertaining to the, there may be some left on the wish list by overall good gun. I was hoping you could mention exactly what else you would have liked to see on this gun. Thanks.
Mass murder is a media-driven copycat phenomenon, not a gun or ‘masculinity’ issue.
Yes, we have never been perfect as a nation. Yes, we have enacted laws that were unconstitutional. I ask you all to rise above it for a moment and remember our ideals.
It does not matter what a jerk you are, what you are wearing, your genetic makeup, or how you voted. If someone reasonably caused you to fear for your life, then that is how a jury of your peers must judge you.
It should never matter in a nation of laws how many prisoners of any color are in prison. What should only ever matter is how many were rightly or wrongly convicted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTqUhUJOBiU
Yet another reason for me not to be a pot head, I would eat far too much pizza!
It’s not about using marijuana and the right to bear arms. It’s about the government overstepping its bounds, restricting and regulating and telling the people what to do. If you want to smoke pot it’s your choice. The government shouldn’t be mandating decisions we can make for ourselves. The gun-grabbing government is using yet another category to take away our constitutionally-protected and God given right to bear arms and to protect ourselves.
All of the people opposed to pot have never done it. I know this to be absolute fact, because if they had, they’d realize how stupid they sound, or they’re just like the anti’s and don’t care. Can’t have it both ways people. Freedom for all, or freedom for no one.
When does antifa season start? I hear they taste like chicken.
The only societal influencers that i can think of that associates violence with masculinity is the film industry. In these films (war, revenge stories, or protection of friends/family/self) the violence is a means to an end. The violence achieves something. The exception to this is horror movies, but the protagonist in these movies is typically not the one being violent except to survive, and again, that violence is a means to an end. With the exception of religious extremists, in mass killings the violence is the end and the goal. If these people aren’t smart enough to realize that these films are portraying masculinity as self sacrifice or love of family and friends (not violence) then they indeed may be mentally ill. I can’t think of a single instance where an act of violence for the sake of violence was portrayed as a positive masculine trait.
Dang it Jeremy. Now I want one. Good pics of it torn apart.
Nope.
Prohibited people are prohibited people. Judges have upheld this time and time again. What more is there to say?
Iowa DNR has been telling us for years there were no mountain lions in Iowa. Only a few wandering males. Then the story was there were no female lions. Now we have both which guarantees a growing population. While I understand that lions are and have been in Iowa and always will be. I’m also smart enough to know they can and will kill you if they see you as prey. This has happened in many of the states where lions are found. I haven’t let my wife mushroom hunt for several years due to the threat of lions. I never go into the woods unless I’m armed. Pistol always. Sometimes with a shotgun or AR. I know to date no one in Iowa has been attacked yet. Who wants to be first? These animals will Kill You and then EAT YOU at Their Leisure. So don’t take this incident lightly. If you live in Iowa and spend time in the woods stay alert. If you prefer not to be armed. Keep in mind you are nothing more than a food source for these animals. Just like a deer,calf,sheep or any number of other animals including your pets. Keep Your Powder Dry.
Let?
I feel bad for you that you see nature as so threatening. Especially in Iowa, for God’s sake.
Well if it’s less that $26,000 , I’m not interested, nothing against low priced guns, I just can’t impress my friends with them.
Sue.
“it’s time to have a more nuanced discussion … ” – How come this just makes me think “oh, f*** you?” The only thing these people want less than a nuanced conversation is a factual one. But seriously, it’s probably the combination of “it’s time,” “discussion,” and “bullshit.”
Just a few years back, a mountain lion attacked a small boy at Big Bend National Park in far West Texas. The boy and his family were in the parking area adjacent to the restaurant, in the most intensely “peopled” area of the Park. The story was that the cat, on the smaller side, was ill, and that desperation prompted the attack. The boy’s dad fought off the attack with his folding belt knife – I think it was a good-sized Spyderco.
These critters are out there. They generally avoid us, and can generally be backed-off with arm-waving and yelling, but “incidents” are becoming more common.
Personally, I wouldn’t hunt them, unless they were an active threat to people or livestock, but I would not hesitate to do as this boy did if one approached me.
The location of the wound suggests that the shooter was looking front-on to the critter, which is not the typical hunter shot.
So……………
The 4th Amendment isn’t a “thing” anymore?
Shoulda used a paddle release.
“stretches the capabilities of the platform beyond the 6.5 Grendel and other options”
So when you call yourself truth about guns, eroniuous 224V vs 6.5G comparisons seem really fake. DID YOU FORGET THAT THE 224 Grendel has been available for a decade? That it has a larger case capacity than the 224V? That its shorter that 224V for longer bullets? That you can also use the same brass for 6mm Grendel?
Ive said it a few times here already and one more last time cant hurt.
Not one thing has been said about a very large negative with the new 2.0
For anyone who carries their gun IWB and for whatever reason cant wear an undergarment with a t-shirt.
The stippling will hurt and it does hurt a lot against bare skin. My 2.0 Compact does in particular.
Seems on all the new plastic guns Ive seen so far for 2018. The sandpaper like stippling is this years new in “thing”.
I think it sux and ruins these plastic guns for someone like me. A firm believer in 1911s who wanted more capacity and was willing to give these plastic guns a try.
Just a thought to have in mind for anyone considering buying one of these and carrying it IWB against your skin. DONT.
A sweat guard doesn’t cover the stippling on the frame. Sanding down or smoothing out the removable backstrap isn’t good enough.
These guns are only good for belt carry in my personal situation.
Us southerners stuck in high heat and humidity cant make much use of these guns as IWB carry.
Now I feel a little better.
Im 0 for 2 with these new stippled grips. I give up too.
My P938 is back on the belt.
Thanks ranting over.