University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2009 Man Up Or Punk Out: The Role Of Masculinity In Prison Rape Melanie Carlson University of Central Florida Part of the Sociology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Carlson, Melanie, "Man Up Or Punk Out: The Role Of Masculinity In Prison Rape" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 3961. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/3961 MAN UP OR PUNK OUT: THE ROLE OF MASCULINITY IN PRISON RAPE by MELANIE CARLSON B.A. California State University, Chico, 2003 M.A. California State University, Chico, 2005 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Sociology in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2009 Major Professor: Elizabeth Ehrhardt Mustaine ABSTRACT Using the dataset, “Ethno-Methodological Study of the Subculture of Prison Inmate Sexuality in the United States, 2004-2005,” this study investigated the relationship between masculinities and prison rape. These data was collected in 23 men’s correctional institutions in 10 states. Between April 2004 and September 2005, 409 males were interviewed (Fleisher & Krienert, 2006). Findings showed that masculinity plays a complex and crucial role in the phenomenon of prison rape. Recommendations were made for inmate-oriented education and training which should include a discussion of masculinity as a possible preventative measure. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I must thank the inmates who participated in this study, without them these data would be non-existent. I am extraordinarily grateful to Elizabeth Ehrhardt Mustaine, Elizabeth Grauerholz, Tracy Dietz, and Eileen Able for graciously agreeing to serve on my committee and giving me the benefit of their experience, knowledge, and thoughts. The phrase thank you is not enough. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ida Cook, fellow cat-lover and all-around wise woman. To the members of the first and second doctoral cohorts, it was my privilege and my grace to have endured the special experience of graduate school with all of you. In particular, I am forever lucky to have had some very special moments with Monica Mendez, Rebecca Weichsel, Megan Duesterhaus, Dolores Edelen, Deb Barr, Nick Libby, Erin Nabors, Drew Freeland, Christian Bolden, Minna Laurikkala, and Rae Taylor. I must also acknowledge what a great experience it has been to have gotten to know Betsy Swart, Scott Larson, Jennifer Reed, and Tim Colyer. To know all of you has been such a gift. Kathy Kaiser my mentor from the CSU system for her time, energy, and unfailing support of me in my pursuit of higher education. Thank you so much, Kathy. My tante Carolyn, I am truly blessed to have had you in my life all these years and after so much has happened. iii My two best friends on earth: Brian Hill and Crystal Garrison, what a great gift it has been for us to make this journey of life together. There is no one that I need to thank and acknowledge more than my husband Sean Carlson. His unyielding support and unconditional love makes me a better person. Lastly, my mom who I love and miss a great deal. Shalom aleikhem mame. Ich libe dich. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES..........................................................................................................VIII CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..................................................................................1 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................4 How Much Prison Rape Is There? ..................................................................................5 Use of Multiple Definitions and Operationalizations......................................................6 Methods of Data Collection ..........................................................................................10 Under Reporting of Prison Rape ...................................................................................12 Factors Associated With Prison Sexual Victimization..................................................13 Race and Ethnicity .................................................................................................... 13 Sexual Orientation .................................................................................................... 14 Physical Size ............................................................................................................. 15 Prison Roles .............................................................................................................. 15 Sex Offenders............................................................................................................ 15 Consequences of Prison Rape .......................................................................................16 Medical Trauma........................................................................................................ 16 Emotional Trauma .................................................................................................... 17 Rehabilitation Disruption.......................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER THREE: FLEISHER AND KRIENERT RESEARCH STUDY....................20 The Main Findings ........................................................................................................21 CHAPTER FOUR: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK.....................................................32 Masculinity Theory .......................................................................................................32 v Masculinities and Rape .................................................................................................40 Male Rape and Masculinity...........................................................................................42 Masculinities and Prison Culture ..................................................................................43 Male Prison Rape and Masculinity ...............................................................................45 Strengths and Weaknesses of Masculinity Theory........................................................50 CHAPTER FIVE: THE PRESENT STUDY.....................................................................53 Methods.........................................................................................................................54 Data and Sample ....................................................................................................... 54 Participants................................................................................................................ 57 Coding and Data Analysis Strategy...............................................................................58 Issues with Secondary Qualitative Data Analysis .................................................... 63 CHAPTER SIX: FINDINGS .............................................................................................66 Be a Man or Be a Victim...............................................................................................66 Weak and Soft ...............................................................................................................70 Young, Small, White and/or Pretty ...............................................................................71 The Role of Race...........................................................................................................73 Other Prisoner’s Views on Effeminate Inmates............................................................75 Homosexuals Have Power.............................................................................................77 Became a Bitch, Fag, or Woman as a Result of Rape...................................................79 Victims Becoming Men Again......................................................................................85 They Wanted It/Allowed It/Really Are Gay .................................................................87 Reporting Rape..............................................................................................................90 vi Reporting Rape is Snitching ..................................................................................... 90 Transfer/PC Not Safe ....................................................................................................91 Rape Because Need Sex................................................................................................93 Rapists are Powerful......................................................................................................96 They Rape Because They are Gay ................................................................................97 They are Hated ..............................................................................................................98 Boxing Betty..................................................................................................................98 CHAPTER SEVEN: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ...........................................101