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Constructing young masculinity: a case study of heroic discourse on violence

LINKÖPING UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN, kjean{at}tema.liu.se

In this article, a young man's narratives of violence are analysed, and a culturally shared storyline is identified as the basis of these narratives. It is argued that the stories are organized so as to construct a preferred self-presentation. One strategy to achieve this is to establish boundaries for what type of violence to use, whom to fight, where and for what reasons. I also argue that the narratives are structured to avoid being categorized as either victim or perpetrator, although both categories are drawn upon. Issues of masculinity are made relevant through categorization of the characters in the narrative, and positions are made available. Different masculine categories such as the hero/villain/non-man become relevant in the analysis. Different gendered positions are used in negotiating a masculine identity around narratives of and through telling about violence.

Key Words: discourses of masculinity • hero • morality-in-practice • narrative identity • preferred self-presentation • storyline • victim/perpetrator • violence

Discourse & Society, Vol. 19, No. 2, 139-161 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0957926507085949


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