CIAO DATE: 04/06

Straight as a Rule:Heteronormativity, Gendercide, and the Non-Combatant Male

Abstract

This paper is an extension of the author’s research into the vulnerability of non-combatant “battle-age” males in situations of war and genocide. It explores the role of heteronormativity – defined as “culturally hegemonic heterosexuality” – in shaping the victimization experiences of male noncombatants. An introductory section addresses definitional issues and frames the discussion in terms of the study of gendercide, or genderselective mass killing. The link between non-combatant status, imputed violations of heteronormativity, and gendercide is then explored. A separate section considers the phenomenon of sexual violence against males in wartime, and asks whether feminist theories of “genocidal rape” can usefully be deployed to assist understanding of this little-studied phenomenon. The conclusion cites some remaining conceptual and conventional obstacles to research on male non-combatants, and suggests avenues for further investigation.

Full Text (PDF, 24 pages, 414 K)