What is going through the mind of a young man who dives off a riverbank into shallow water, or who races his car on the wrong side of the road, or who picks up a firecracker after the fuse is lit? “Not much,” you might say. Recent studies indicate that young men who engage in such risky behaviors suffer a higher rate of accidental deaths. No surprise there! What may be unexpected, though, is that these behaviors are more common in certain parts of the United States because of a regional “culture of honor.”
What is a “culture of honor,” and where does it come from? A culture of honor values reputation and the defense thereof, sometimes through violence. Such cultures have commonly developed in places with few natural resources and minimal law enforcement. Many Scotch-Irish immigrants who came to America in the 1700s embodied such culture traits. These immigrants eventually influenced the cultures of states in the South and West. As a result, a man in these parts of the country is more likely to respond with hostility and/or violence if he is insulted or if his reputation as a brave, manly guy is challenged. He is also more likely to take risks to prove his courage—risks that might result in accidental death. White males who live in rural areas or small towns are more likely than urban non-whites to behave in this way.
This kind of mind-set can indeed be deadly. Statistics show that rural areas of so-called honor states have a 19 percent higher rate of accidental death, compared to non-honor states. Risk-taking associated with the culture of honor is blamed for more than 7,000 deaths per year. Food for thought, the next time you hear, “Come on, man, I dare you!”
Image credit: © Peter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
Related Links
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Accidental Death Linked to Men’s Display of Honor, Bravery
Explore in detail the referenced study on cultural factors and accidental death.
(Source: Psych Central, August 15, 2011) -
Living Dangerously: Culture of Honor, Risk-Taking, and the Nonrandomness of “Accidental” Deaths
Check out this abstract of the report by the University of Oklahoma researchers (complete report must be purchased).
(Source: Social Psychological and Personality Science, June 8, 2011) -
Is Southern Violence Due to a Culture of Honor?
Read this short article for a different view of the origins and impact of the “culture of honor.”
(Source: Psychology Today, April 2, 2011)
sounds a little like the “honor killings” I have heard of in Appalachian culture. Not apples to apples but it is misguided intentions regarding the sanctity of human life…
I couldnt agree more!!!!
aww soo sad
that suck
oh my gosh that is terrible
I KNOW!! 🙁
i think this is really sad and that my mom should not have let me read it.
This is so sad!!! I cant believe the stuff some people do…its so sad 🙁
its sooooo ironic
why do people even do things like that
how is accidental death honorable!? that doesnt make sence. 🙁
I know right parents need to watch their kids more often
If it is their way of life, is it necessarily horrible? We may not agree, for I most certainly do not agree that a person can gain honor by proving it through violence and that true honor is what you know of yourself and how you respond to such challenges, but if we are supposed to be culture tolerant, aren’t we supposed to be tolerant of their right to guard their honor?
By the way, that was sarcasm.
its not sad if some is dumb enouhg to “accidentaly” kill them selfs actuly its kinda funy
its like u get a gun look point the barrel at your face and “accidentaly” pull the trigger
i agree