Abstract

MIRANDA, Gregório Ribeiro de  and  NASCIMENTO, Adriano Roberto Afonso do. Masculinities in traffic: identity processes of motorcycle deliverymen in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Temas psicol. [online]. 2018, vol.26, n.2, pp. 637-651. ISSN 1413-389X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.9788/TP2018.2-05Pt.

Motorcycle deliverymen/couriers share a significant part of the blame for the upsurge in traffic accidents and mortality rates in Brazil, and they exhibit the same general profile that other Brazilian motorcyclists exhibit: low-income males. Based on Social Identity Theory, the present study seeks to identify and investigate both the manner in which motorcycle deliverymen in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil) perceive the various conceptions of masculinity and the way in which such conceptions potentially correlate with how such bikers view themselves, feel and behave as motorcyclists. In order to achieve the above objectives, we conducted ten semi-structured interviews with motorcycle couriers living in Belo Horizonte, analyzing the interviews via the content analysis method. Those interviewed revealed that they share a common ideal replete with male values: a guy that is competent, responsible, heterosexual, daring, fearless, independent and dominant. Although the men interviewed recognize that they face many traffic risks, they largely consider themselves invulnerable to such risks. A good biker is not merely a good driver and a hard worker, but also an exceptional man.

Keywords : Masculinity; social identity; motorcycle deliverymen.

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