Honor Culture as an Explanation for School Violence

School violence remains a pressing concern in the United States, with incidents ranging from physical altercations to school shootings. This paper explores how sociocultural norms—specifically a “culture of honor,” which emphasizes defending one’s reputation through retaliation—contribute to youth aggression. Drawing on empirical literature and regional data, the study highlights how honor culture correlates with elevated rates of weapon carrying and violence in certain U.S. regions. To address these patterns, the paper examines interventions that foster communal and interdependent values, including the creation of green spaces, gardening programs, peer mediation, and extracurricular engagement. Special attention is given to after-school programs supported by 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grants. An autoethnographic case study from Huguenot High School in Richmond, Virginia, illustrates how such interventions can reduce violence and promote cultural transformation. The paper concludes with recommendations for incorporating culturally responsive, community-based strategies into school safety efforts.