ABSTRACT
Some would see anti-social behaviour as a euphemism for the disruption and hurt perpetrated by boys in schools and elsewhere. This chapter reviews evidence about these anti-social practices and how they relate to development of masculinity. The evidence is overwhelming that boys are chief culprits of disruptive behaviour in class. If subjects were interesting and engaging, then disruption was a nuisance; if not, disruption relieved the boredom. The discussion of the Macho Lads highlights the embodied reality of masculine practice in the combination of sexual discourse and physical aggression. Aggressive sexuality is commonly introduced in gender relations through language, where sexist put-downs give boys premature access to an aspect of adult male sexual discourse and the power that goes with it. Boys' bullying and sex-based harassment are forms of violence defined by victimisation. There is a need to reject explanations of violence which do not adequately recognise the role of masculinity.
