Masculinity Trouble in Intimate Partner Violence: A Mixed Methods Analysis of the Case of France

We investigated the persistence of male violence against intimate partners in a context where, as is particularly the case in France, gender-based violence is considered deviant in light of normative changes promoting equality. Our hypothesis is that of a “masculinity trouble.” As male socialization has not been completely depatriarchalized, many men might not be equipped to deal with the tensions inherent in egalitarianism in intimate relationships, and may resort to violence as a means of managing them. To test this hypothesis, we used a mixed method analysis combining six quantitative and qualitative datasets to determine the sociodemographic factors and rationales for action that can sociologically explain these violent behaviors. Our results confirm the hypothesis of “masculinity trouble,” which is particularly evident in patterns of behavior that we refer to as “frustrated egocentrism” or “wounded narcissism.”