title: How Do Men Construct and Explain Men's Violence?
abstract: In this study, we examine men's constructions of violence and their explanations of their own violent behavior. Interviews were conducted with 12 adult men, employed in industrial and manual labor, regarding their associations with violence, their reasons for engaging in violent behavior, and their reasons for not engaging in violent behavior. Utilizing consensual qualitative research methodology, our findings indicated that men's constructions of violence and their justifications for engaging in violence were linked to their constructions of masculinity and what it meant to them to be a man. Results are discussed through the lenses of multiple gender-based theories and ultimately, deemed to demonstrate the most support for the notion of precarious manhood. Specifically, violence was viewed as necessary in particular situations to assert or maintain one's social status and sense of self as masculine when faced with threats to manhood status. Implications for psychological intervention and practice with men are discussed, including identifying positive alternatives to violence that preserve one's sense of self as masculine.
authors.affiliation: 1 Pace University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Faedra Backus
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Dagirmanjian
authors.affiliation: 2 Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mahalik
authors.affiliation: 3 New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colbow
authors.affiliation: 5 University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: 6 Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pomarico
authors.affiliation: 7 District of Columbia Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rappaport
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D005783:Gender Identity; D000074386:Gender-Based Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012933:Social Identification; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: gender; health; masculinity; men’s violence