Journal article
The enduring lessons of war: Connecting culture, masculinities & violence across the life course
Journal of criminal justice, Vol.98, 102430
05/01/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102430
Abstract
Despite the ascendancy of the life course paradigm, life course criminology remains heavily centered on Western peacetime contexts, often overlooking how large-scale structural ruptures such as war and political violence shape life trajectories. This research extends the purview of life course criminology by linking the cultural context of war to individual pathways of development over time. Drawing from life history data gathered from 18 Bosnian men who experienced the Bosnian war (1992–1995) as children, and engaged in chronic violent and aggressive behavior in adolescence and adulthood, this work examines the discourses, rationalizations and motivations espoused by men, with particular focus on how they are shaped by the conflation of war and militarism with violent masculinity. Analyses suggest that their internalization of hegemonic discourses of masculinity and militarism rooted in war helped legitimize and sustain their violent behavior in its aftermath. Violence was commonly portrayed as thrilling, empowering, and cathartic; as a means of retribution for historical and personal harms; and as a way to restore honor and assert masculine status in the face of perceived disrespect. This work calls attention to the enduring implications of war upon the life course, and bridges theorizing on culture, masculinities and life course criminology.
•This research links the cultural context of war to individual pathways of development.•Data stem from life history narratives from men who experienced the Bosnian war (1992–1995) as children.•Findings suggest the internalization of hegemonic discourses of masculinity and militarism rooted in war help legitimize and sustain violent behavior in its aftermath.•Violence was portrayed as thrilling, and cathartic; as a means of retribution; and as a way to restore honor and assert masculine status.•This work bridges theorizing on culture, masculinities and life course criminology.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The enduring lessons of war: Connecting culture, masculinities & violence across the life course
- Creators
- Stephanie M. DiPietro - University of Iowa, Department of Sociology and Criminology, 400B North Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States of America
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of criminal justice, Vol.98, 102430
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102430
- ISSN
- 0047-2352
- eISSN
- 1873-6203
- Grant note
- Fulbright Board of Foreign Scholarship: 48131043 University of Missouri-St
This work was supported by the Fulbright Board of Foreign Scholarship Grant #48131043 and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2025
- Academic Unit
- Sociology and Criminology
- Record Identifier
- 9984824330202771
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