Maleness of violence

CRIME

The Overwhelming  Maleness of Mass Homicide

Why aren't we talking about the one thing mass murderers have in common?

By ERIKA CHRISTAKIS | @erikachristakis | July 24, 2012 |

There’s a predictable cycle of mourning and recrimination that follows a massacre like the shootings last week in Aurora, Colo. First come the calls for unity and flags flown at half-mast. Then the national fissures appear: the gun lobby stiffens its spine as gun-control advocates make their case. Psychologists parse the shooter’s background, looking for signs of mental illness or family disarray. Politicians point fingers about “society run amok” and “cultures of despair.”/.../