Dedicated at school but victimized by peers? An updated study of gender differences in bullying victimization

Peer victimization remains a serious concern in U.S. schools. Previous studies indicated that boys experience bullying by peers when failing to conform to traditional expectations of masculine behavior. One such ‘failure’ involved dedication to academic pursuits, such as earning good grades or participating in academic extracurricular activities. However, scholars have not updated this literature. To do so, this study analyzes data from the 2022 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey. Findings indicate a different pattern compared to earlier studies. After controlling for correlates of victimization, adolescent boys’ grades and participation in traditionally unmasculine extracurricular activities do not statistically predict increased risk of a variety of peer victimizations or increased frequency of bullying victimization. Instead, participation specifically in performing arts activities is associated with increased victimization regardless of gender. The study incorporates these findings into the prior literature on gender and victimization and discusses implications.