Masculine Identity and Aggressive Behaviour Among Youth Illegal Racer in Penang, Malaysia

• Main Author: Hussin, Zalmizy
• Format: Monograph
• Language: English
• Published: UUM 2022
• Subjects: HM Sociology
• Online Access: https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29598/1/14825.pdf; https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29598/

Youth illegal racer who adhered to socially defined masculinity ideals often engaged in aggressive behaviour solely to demonstrate the attitudes of masculinity. However, study on the effect of masculine identity on aggressive behaviour in illegal racers is still controversies. This mixed method study was undertaken to examine the effect of masculine identity on illegal racer status and aggressive behaviour among young motorcyclist who involve in illegal racing. In phase 1, a cross sectional study was conducted in December 2020 involving a group of young motorcyclists in Penang, Malaysia. Multiple Logistic Regression was used to determine association between masculine identity and illegal racer status (Model 1), masculine identity and aggressive behaviour (Model 2). Phase 2 demonstrated a qualitative study to explore the significant risk factors from the phase 1 which were masculine identity, substance abuse and problematic family structures. 30 participants drawn from the phase 1 were interviewed using in depth interview method. Their responses were analysed using the NVivo software version 12. A total of 400 young motorcyclist were recruited in phase 1. The proportion of participants experienced as illegal racers was 58% while the rest only involved in convoys activities. The mean of masculine conformity score was 30.98(8.76). Participants with scores of less than 31 were categorized as the “low masculine conformity group” (n =179) while those with scores of 31 or more were categorized as the “high masculine conformity group” (n=221). High masculine conformity group participants have 4 times higher risk to be an illegal racer (95% CI 3.57,6.12; P=0.001) and 5 times higher risk in committing aggressive behaviour (95% CI 3.57,6.12; P=<0.001) compared to groups with low masculine conformity in multivariable analysis. For phase 2, the results demonstrate three subthemes to prohibited substances intake: to relieve stress, for personal enjoyment, and for racing purposes, whereby the drugs are taken before races for the riders to be more courageous, aggressive, and agile manoeuvring the motorcycles. Meanwhile, the risk factor of family problems includes divorced and conflicted parents, raised by violence, being neglected, and not being appreciated by the family. Study shown that the masculine identity of illegal racers that drives the desire to race were reckless driving style, playboy behaviours, and macho appearance. The results demonstrated the need for a specific counselling prevention programme for the young adolescent focusing on their desire to race and masculine attitude to reduce their involvement in illegal street racing and aggressive behavior.