Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinity
This paper explores the unconscious symbolism of the battlefield cross memorial, which is comprised of combat boots and a rifle, often with dog tags attached, topped by a helmet. While the memorial's manifest function is to provide solace, build solidarity, and convey respect for patriotic sacr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sociology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1148204/full |
| _version_ | 1797834772059258880 |
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| author | Lauren Dundes |
| author_facet | Lauren Dundes |
| author_sort | Lauren Dundes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores the unconscious symbolism of the battlefield cross memorial, which is comprised of combat boots and a rifle, often with dog tags attached, topped by a helmet. While the memorial's manifest function is to provide solace, build solidarity, and convey respect for patriotic sacrifice in response to grief, the battlefield cross also exalts masculinity at a subliminal level. Because of the latent ways in which the components of the battlefield cross reinforce fallen soldiers' masculinity, the memorial provides an outlet for bereavement according to a masculine script that treats virility as sacrosanct. The resonance of the battlefield cross and its synergism with unrecognized gender coding in broader society illustrate how a powerful symbol intended to honor members of the military also valorizes machismo. This qualitative interpretation could help explain impediments to women achieving parity with men in the military. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:42:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df96b0f3bc7e4822b04417b06bf2e5e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-7775 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:42:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sociology |
| spelling | doaj.art-df96b0f3bc7e4822b04417b06bf2e5e12023-05-03T05:04:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752023-05-01810.3389/fsoc.2023.11482041148204Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinityLauren DundesThis paper explores the unconscious symbolism of the battlefield cross memorial, which is comprised of combat boots and a rifle, often with dog tags attached, topped by a helmet. While the memorial's manifest function is to provide solace, build solidarity, and convey respect for patriotic sacrifice in response to grief, the battlefield cross also exalts masculinity at a subliminal level. Because of the latent ways in which the components of the battlefield cross reinforce fallen soldiers' masculinity, the memorial provides an outlet for bereavement according to a masculine script that treats virility as sacrosanct. The resonance of the battlefield cross and its synergism with unrecognized gender coding in broader society illustrate how a powerful symbol intended to honor members of the military also valorizes machismo. This qualitative interpretation could help explain impediments to women achieving parity with men in the military.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1148204/fullbattlefield crosshypermasculinitymilitarized masculinitysymbolismbootshelmet |
| spellingShingle | Lauren Dundes Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinity Frontiers in Sociology battlefield cross hypermasculinity militarized masculinity symbolism boots helmet |
| title | Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinity |
| title_full | Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinity |
| title_fullStr | Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinity |
| title_short | Symbolism of the US battlefield cross: how boots, rifles, and helmets reinforce masculinity |
| title_sort | symbolism of the us battlefield cross how boots rifles and helmets reinforce masculinity |
| topic | battlefield cross hypermasculinity militarized masculinity symbolism boots helmet |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1148204/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT laurendundes symbolismoftheusbattlefieldcrosshowbootsriflesandhelmetsreinforcemasculinity |