Gun Culture, Gender Oriented Communication and Social Media: The National Rifle Association (NRA) as a Case Study

• Autores: Leyre De Cepeda Aparicio
• Directores de la Tesis: Rainer Rubira García (dir. tes.)
• Lectura: En la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos ( España ) en 2024
• Idioma: español
• Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: David Caldevilla Domínguez (presid.), Flávia Gómes-Franco e Silva (secret.), Rasa Poceviciene (voc.)
• Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Estudios Interdisciplinares de Género por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; la Universidad de Alcalá; la Universidad de Alicante; la Universidad de Huelva; la Universidad de La Laguna; la Universidad de las Illes Balears; la Universidad Jaume I de Castellón y la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
• Materias:
  • Demografía
    • Características de la población
      • Sexo
• Enlaces
  • Tesis en acceso abierto en: TESEO
• Resumen

  • The historical relationship between women and firearms in the United States is a multifaceted narrative that has evolved over time around the concept of gun culture persistently perpetuated by the National Rifle Association (NRA) as the most decisive lobby in political and social debates. While Americans have been involved in gun culture through the Second Amendment of the Constitution, the role of women has seen significant changes in this matter. This research tries to investigate the complex interplay between women, the NRA and social media platforms in the contemporary socio-political landscape. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study delves into the representations of women within the NRA, examining how the organization employs digital strategies to shape its image and engage with its female constituency. The analysis reveals nuanced portrayals of women within NRA-sponsored content on platforms such as Instagram. Additionally, the study investigates the ways in which influencers women contribute to and shape the discourse surrounding gun ownership and advocacy on social media. Drawing on feminist frameworks within the culture wars, the research assesses the empowerment narratives, challenges stereotypes, and critiques the potential gendered implications of the pro-gun discourse that lead to what is known as gender wash. Insights from this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the intersections between gender, gun advocacy, and online platforms, shedding light on the role of social media in shaping contemporary debates surrounding women's agency within the context of firearms.