Just a Joke? The Thin Line between Teasing, Harassment and Violence among Teenage Boys in Lower Secondary School

Abstract

The present article, addresses and discusses thin line between teasing, and violence in lower secondary school. The main aim of the study is to highlight and explore different types of “joking cultures” and lad cultures. This study draws from interviews with ninth grade students conducted at three schools in various geographic locations in Sweden. The results indicate that jokes and fighting for “fun” are recurrent in everyday school life and part of how boys conform in masculinity and homosocial relations. As part of conforming masculinity, boys are not expected to show pain and are expected to take part in homophobic teasing.