From Hegemonic Masculinity to Gun Masturbation: Masculine Discourse of Self-pleasure in American Gun Culture

• In Event: Law Enforcement, Shootings, and Guns

Abstract

Previous research into the motives of American gun ownership have suggested that accounting for both criminal and legitimate gun use relies heavily on hegemonic masculine discourse and the role of gun ownership in empowering male group identity (Gahman 2014; Stroud 2012; Stretesky and Pogrebin 2007). Our research extends this notion by examining American cultural representations of gun use in the context of everyday firearm imagery and gun rights discourse. We assert that while gun ownership, possession and use do indeed reflect hegemonic masculinity (Connell 2012), American cultural imagery of guns and discourse utilized in America often reflects a focus on individuality and self-pleasure.

Authors

• Andrew J. Prelog, University of Northern Colorado

• Angie Henderson, University of Northern Colorado

• Harmony Newman, University of Northern Colorado