Paper
A theory of gendercide
Published Mar 1, 2002 · Øystein Gullvåg Holter
Journal of Genocide Research
24
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0
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Abstract
Over the last 10 years, there has been an increase in reports of the genderselective use of terror in war—much of it scattered, but possibly indicating a new and very serious historical pattern. At least, its scale is new. What is the background of this seeming “genderization” of war? Reports also indicate that civilian boys and men are increasingly targeted. An “able-bodied male” becomes a legitimate object of aggression regardless of his civilian status. Boys and men have been systematically separated from women and children and killed. Most recent wars display this pattern, including the wars in Bosnia, Kosovo, Timor, Rwanda and Chechnya. Across very different local scenarios, two common patterns emerge—increased genderization and targeting of boys/men. In order to investigate these themes, recent gender research and analyses are presented, including research on men and masculinities . Two masculinity-related themes are discussed in particular: “men are expendable” and “men do not care.” A reactive combination of gender factors and inequality structure is seen as the main sociological background trait of gendercide, together with a breakdown of democracy and a “total” or inclusive form of war.
Gendercide in wars is a result of a combination of gender factors, inequality, and a breakdown of democracy, with boys and men being targeted and systematically separated from women and children.
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