Must Boys Fight Back When Bullied? "Male Honor" Beliefs Might Harm Children

Can you imagine? When facing bullying, boys seem influenced by an invisible force—this is the so-called "male honor" belief.

What Are "Male Honor" Beliefs?

Simply put, it's like an unwritten "hidden rule" society sets for males, believing men should act tough when encountering threats or insults, even using violence to defend dignity and safety.

**Background**: Previously this concept was mostly studied in adults, but now researchers find it also affects children, possibly related to school extreme violence incidents.

Four Studies' Surprising Findings

To clarify male honor beliefs' impact on boys' bullying responses, researchers designed four studies.

Study 1: 399-Person Attitude Survey

Researchers recruited 399 participants, showed them bullying scenario stories, then asked about their attitudes.

**Findings**: - People with strong male honor beliefs more approve adolescents using aggressive responses to bullying - But they also think seeking parental help or ignoring bullies is acceptable - **Strange phenomenon**: They actually like bullies more

Study 2: Different Response Evaluations

This study more detailedly showed children's different choices after being bullied: fight back or ignore.

**Results**: - People with strong male honor beliefs more admire fighting-back children, considering them brave with backbone - But are also relatively tolerant toward children ignoring bullies

Study 3: Extreme Violence Views

Researchers created fictional school shooting news stories, observing people's evaluations of shooters with different backgrounds.

**Surprising findings**: - Everyone opposes extreme violence like school shootings - But people with strong male honor beliefs have nuanced attitudes toward shooters who acted after being bullied - They consider these shooters more "honorable," even thinking sentencing should be lighter

Study 4: Age-Group Expectation Changes

This study focused on boys, divided into three age groups: fourth grade (10 years), eighth grade (14 years), and twelfth grade (18 years).

**Key findings**: - People with strong male honor beliefs consistently encourage boys to fight back against bullies - With age increase, non-fighting boys are considered "dishonorable," even viewed as "cowards" - Society's "real man" expectations for boys grow higher

Research Summary: Male Honor Beliefs' Complex Impact

Combining four studies, we find:

1. **Encourage fighting back**: Male honor beliefs closely relate to encouraging children to fight bullying 2. **Double standard**: Also have positive views toward bulliers, possibly considering bullying demonstrates certain status traits 3. **Age pressure**: With age increase, non-fighting boys face more "discrimination"

Practical Advice for Parents

Avoid "Must Fight Back" Pressure

If you have boys at home, parents should note: - Don't solely emphasize "must fight back" - Otherwise children may feel not fighting back means not being manly, bearing huge psychological pressure

Encourage Flexible Responses

Parents should act like wise mentors, encouraging children to choose appropriate methods based on actual situations:

**Three choices all reasonable**: 1. **Brave confrontation**: If children feel capable, can bravely protect themselves 2. **Seek help**: Ask teachers or parents for assistance—many hands make light work 3. **Ignore bullying**: Treat bullies as insignificant wind, not affecting mood

School and Social Responsibility

Schools should pay more attention to bullying phenomena: - Educate children that violence isn't good problem-solving - Avoid falling into "fighting violence with violence" misconceptions - Create healthy, friendly, harmonious school environments

Important Reminder

Violence is like a vicious cycle: bullying provokes retaliation, retaliation provokes more violence, eventually everyone gets hurt in this cycle.

**Our goal**: Let every child thrive in sunlight, far from bullying's shadow, flying freely like happy birds in love-filled skies.

Hope every boy understands: Real men aren't proven by violence, but know how to protect themselves with wisdom, face difficulties with courage!