The problem I have with theories surrounding bullying and prescription drugs and mental illness is that women equally experience all those things. And yet, the number of male mass shooters and those who commit homicides in general is disproportionate to the US population.
Statistics have been consistent in reporting that men commit more criminal acts than women. In 76% of violent incidents, the victim perceived the offender to be male according to the 2017 national crime victimization study done by the U.S. Department of Justice. A database of 101 mass shootings between 1982 and 2018 recorded 98 male shooters, 2 female shooters, and one partnership of a male and female shooter.
This article discusses the various factors at play that could explain the rate of male mass shooters and the phenomena behind it.
Why are white men carrying out more mass shootings?
Some choice quotes include:
"If you look at the motivation that we know about it does seem to be that men handle their catastrophic loss and self esteem worse than women. Professor Wilson added that men tend to have fewer support networks outside the family unit and their workplace", said Professor David Wilson, a criminologist at Birmingham City University.
"Women tend to see violence as a last resort, as a self-defence mechanism. You use violence if you have to, if there's no other way out. "Men tend to use violence as an offensive weapon, to show them who's boss." - James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University
You can disagree with the assertions above but it is definitely puzzling how the statistics around these mass shooters present.
