When it comes to guns, does "size" matter?

Some people in the US think that men who own guns might be trying to make up for being unhappy with the size of their penis. They often ask, "Are you compensating for something with that gun?"

However, a new study in 2024 looked at this idea and found surprising results. The study used data from the 2023 Masculinity, Sexual Health, and Politics (MSHAP) survey to see if men who are unhappy with their penis size are more likely to own guns.

The study started with the idea that men unhappy with their penis size might own guns to feel better about themselves. Researchers asked 1,840 men from across the US about their penis size, experiences with penis enlargement, masculinity, body weight, mental health, and other factors.

The results showed that men who are unhappy with their penis size are actually less likely to own guns. This was true for all types of gun ownership, including military-style rifles and the total number of guns owned. The connection was weakest for men aged 60 and older.

The study also found no difference in gun ownership between men who tried to enlarge their penis and those who did not. This challenges the idea that smaller penis size leads to more gun ownership.

Researchers offered other explanations for their findings. One idea is that men with higher testosterone levels, which are linked to larger penis size, might take more risks and show more dominance, leading to more gun ownership. Another idea is that the meaning of masculinity and the importance of guns might change with age.

The study suggests that more research is needed to understand the relationship between being unhappy with penis size and owning guns. The results show that gun ownership is likely influenced by many complex factors, including cultural ideas about masculinity and biological influences, not just simple compensatory behaviors.

These findings encourage more exploration into how societal views of masculinity and personal insecurities connect with gun ownership, challenging long-held beliefs about why people own firearms in America.

For further details, refer to the full study here.

1. In your opinion, why might some people believe that owning a gun is a way to make up for being unhappy with their penis size?

2. Do you think the study’s findings make sense? Why or why not?

3. How do you feel about the idea that cultural views might affect whether people own guns?

4. What are some reasons, other than personal insecurities, that might lead someone to own a gun?

5. In Japan, how do cultural views on masculinity and personal insecurity differ from those in the US?