Masculinity and Domestic Violence

Definition
Masculinity is often described by McCreary (2020) as socially constructed traits, behaviors, and role norms that societies associate with boys and men. These expectations are not biologically fixed; rather, they are shaped by cultural, historical, and institutional constraints.

Introduction
The purpose of this entry is to explore the complex and often challenging relationship between masculinity and domestic abuse, drawing upon criminological, sociological, and psychological perspectives. Domestic abuse is widely recognized as a gendered phenomenon, yet scholarship increasingly emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of how masculinities shape both perpetration and victimization. This entry examines how masculine “norms” influence abusive behaviors, help seeking patterns, institutional responses, and prevention strategies. It also considers men as victims.