Culture of Honor

In cultural anthropology and social psychology traditions, a culture of honor is one in which values and behavioral norms place a strong emphasis on status and reputation. Having honor implies being respected by others. For males, this means demonstrating toughness and the willingness to use aggression if one's reputation is challenged or to avenge a perceived insult. For females, codes of honor often focus on avoiding behaviors that could bring shame or dishonor to oneself or one's family. This usually means placing a strong emphasis on female modesty and moral (particularly sexual) purity. This entry begins with an overview, then looks more closely at the internal workings of honor cultures, and concludes with a brief summary of related concepts.