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Suicidal Masculinities

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  • Jonathan Scourfield

Abstract

Across the West, suicide rates in young men have been rising for some time. This trend has attracted considerable media attention and is often cited within media discourse as evidence of a ‘crisis of masculinity’. The field of suicide research (or suicidology) is dominated by quantitative methodology, and although there has been research attention to the gendered character of suicidal behaviour, studies tend to compare ‘men’ as a group with ‘women’ as a group. There is also relatively little consideration within this literature of power relations and the social-political dimension of masculinities. This paper argues the case for a qualitative sociological approach to the study of gendered suicide and begins to outline a framework for understanding the diversity of suicidal masculinities. Connell's theoretical work on masculinities is used to analyse evidence from the suicidology literature. The framework includes consideration of when hegemonic masculinity fails; the subordinated masculinities of gay sexuality and mental illness; and control in intimate relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Scourfield, 2005. "Suicidal Masculinities," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 10(2), pages 35-44, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:10:y:2005:i:2:p:35-44
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.1057
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gunnell, David & Middleton, Nicos & Whitley, Elise & Dorling, Daniel & Frankel, Stephen, 2003. "Why are suicide rates rising in young men but falling in the elderly?--a time-series analysis of trends in England and Wales 1950-1998," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(4), pages 595-611, August.
    2. Courtenay, Will H., 2000. "Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(10), pages 1385-1401, May.
    3. Remafedi, G. & French, S. & Story, M. & Resnick, M.D. & Blum, R., 1998. "The relationship between suicide risk and sexual orientation: Results of a population-based study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(1), pages 57-60.
    4. Crawford, M. J. & Prince, M., 1999. "Increasing rates of suicide in young men in England during the 1980s: the importance of social context," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 49(10), pages 1419-1423, November.
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