The Gendered Dimensions of Gun Violence in the United States

Abstract

Public debates about gun violence in the United States frequently focus on policy, criminal justice, or mental health, yet these discussions often overlook the role of gender. This project examines gun violence through the lens of Gender Studies, asking how cultural norms of masculinity shape patterns of violence in the United States. Although men commit the vast majority of gun-related homicides and mass shootings, gun violence is rarely framed as a gendered issue in political discourse or public debate. Drawing on interdisciplinary research from Sociology, Gender Studies, and Public Health, this project explores how cultural expectations surrounding masculinity (such as dominance, control, and emotional suppression) may contribute to patterns of violent behavior. Using the theoretical framework of Hegemonic Masculinity, the project analyzes how gender norms influence both the perpetration of violence and the ways gun violence is understood in American society. By reframing gun violence as a gendered phenomenon, this research highlights the importance of gender analysis in understanding the social roots of violence and expanding conversations about prevention.