Don't Let the Bastards See you Sweat

Masculinity, Public and Private Space, and the Volunteer Firehouse

Bibliographic Data

ID4138630
AuthorsCareen Yarnal (Pennsylvania State University, corresponding author), Careen Mackay Yarnal (School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management, 201 Mateer Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA), Lorraine Dowler (0000-0003-0992-4077, Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA, corresponding author), Susan Hutchinson (0000-0003-1557-0877, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management, 201 Mateer Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA), Susan L Hutchinson (0000-0001-8107-6557, Pennsylvania State University, corresponding author)
Year2004
Volume36
Issue4
Pages685-699
Publication date2004-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning A Economy and Space (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0308-518X • E-ISSN: 1472-3409
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1068/a35317
OpenAlexW2051493782
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited13

In this paper we examine the ways that traditional definitions of masculinity are challenged within the domestic space of the volunteer firehouse. Our aim is to blur the dichotomies of public-private, masculine-feminine, heroic-weak, and moral-immoral. By examining practices associated with being a volunteer firefighter we present deeper and expanded notions of what it means to be a man in this context. Volunteer firefighters create a private space within the firehouse that offers escape from the public demands of masculinity. It is within this space that they can receive and give comfort and experience bonding, friendship, and a deep sense of belonging by embracing emotions normally off limits to men, including self-disclosure, familiarity, and affection. Although acknowledging the masculine hegemony that constructs men's involvement in firefighting and the firehouse, we also highlight the emotional work done by men as they engage in their public and private firefighting roles

Affection · Friendship · Hegemonic masculinity · Masculinity · Private space · Public space · Sociology · Adventure Sports and Sensation Seeking · Engineering · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · History · Psychology · Social Psychology

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