ABSTRACT
A traditional masculinity discourse, within which fights between men are regarded as common and therefore are not problematized, may be seen as one part of explaining the male victim's invisibility. In Western societies, the cultural image of men is often associated with strength and control. This chapter focuses on some young men who are subjected to violent crime such as assaults and muggings. Sometimes criminological research is said to have failed in exploring men's experiences of violence because of expectations that men are unwilling to talk about weakness. The chapter relates hegemonic and normative masculinity to an ideal victim discourse. It shows how men may talk about being victimized without portraying themselves as weak. Focusing on activity and ability to act is not consistent with the victim as a social category. So, if the men would have liked to be perceived as ideal victims, it would have been useful to choose narratives that involved weakness, defencelessness and need for protection.
