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Size Matters? Penis Dissatisfaction and Gun Ownership in America.
Terrence D Hill1, Liwen Zeng2, Amy M Burdette3
1Department of Sociology and Demography, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
American Journal of Men'S Health
|May 31, 2024
Summary
Men more dissatisfied with penis size were less likely to own guns, contrary to psychosexual theories. This study explored penis size dissatisfaction and gun ownership in American men using survey data.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- The psychosexual theory of gun ownership posits a link between male insecurity and firearm possession.
- Previous research has not formally investigated the relationship between penis size dissatisfaction and gun ownership.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between penis size dissatisfaction and personal gun ownership in American men.
- To test the hypothesis derived from the psychosexual theory of gun ownership.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2023 Masculinity, Sexual Health, and Politics (MSHAP) survey, a national probability sample of 1,840 men.
- Employed regression analyses to model personal gun ownership based on penis size dissatisfaction and other covariates.
Main Results:
- Men reporting greater penis size dissatisfaction were significantly less likely to own guns.
- An inverse linear association was observed between penis size dissatisfaction and gun ownership, including military-style rifle ownership.
- No significant differences in gun ownership were found between men who had and had not attempted penis enlargement.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the psychosexual theory of gun ownership.
- An inverse association between penis size dissatisfaction and gun ownership is suggested, potentially explained by factors like testosterone levels or constructionist theories.
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