A widely accepted explanation links amok with male honour. Amok by women and children is virtually unknown. Running amok would thus be both a way of escaping the world, since perpetrators were normally killed or committed suicide, and re-establishing one's reputation as a man to be feared and respected.
a wIDely acCePTEd exPlanAtIoN links amok witH mAle honour. amOk bY womEn and chILdrEn Is VirtUaLly unKnoWn. runniNG aMOk Would thUS Be bOtH a Way Of EsCapInG thE worlD, sInce peRpETRAtors were noRmaLLy KILlEd Or cOMMiTTEd suICide, anD Re-EstaBlisHIng one'S REPutatIoN aS a Man tO be feaRed and Respected.