Women are Typically Less Aggressive than Men, Except with Siblings: Study
For a long time, it has been widely believed that women and girls are less aggressive than men and boys. While this stereotype has some basis in reality, a recent study has revealed that there is an important exception to this rule. According to a study published in the PNAS Nexus journal, women and girls tend to be less aggressive than men, except in one specific situation: when interacting with their siblings.
The study, which analyzed data from 4,136 individuals from 24 countries, found that females engaged in “at least as much” direct (such as hitting or yelling) and indirect (such as gossiping and reporting) aggression toward their siblings as males. This suggests that the traditional notion of women being less aggressive than men may not hold true in certain family dynamics.
The researchers, led by Dr. Sarah G. Null from the University of Texas at Austin, used a combination of self-reported data and observations to assess the frequency and intensity of aggressive behaviors in both men and women. They found that, overall, women and girls tended to be less aggressive than men and boys, both in their interactions with strangers and with people they knew well.
However, when it came to sibling relationships, the researchers discovered that this gender difference in aggression disappeared. In fact, the study found that females were just as likely as males to engage in aggressive behaviors, such as physical fighting, name-calling, and spreading rumors, towards their siblings.
So, why might this be the case? The researchers suggest that there are several factors at play. One possibility is that sibling relationships are often characterized by a unique combination of factors, including a strong sense of familiarity and intimacy, as well as a desire to establish dominance and control within the family. This can lead to a heightened level of aggression and competition between siblings, regardless of gender.
Another factor that may contribute to the finding is the way that society typically expects boys and men to behave in relation to aggression. While there is still a strong cultural expectation that boys and men should be strong and aggressive, there is also a sense that they should be able to handle their emotions and conflicts in a more constructive way. In contrast, girls and women may be socialized to be more emotional and sensitive, which can lead to them being perceived as less aggressive.
The study’s findings have important implications for our understanding of aggression and conflict in families. They suggest that aggression is not solely the domain of men and boys, and that women and girls may be just as capable of engaging in aggressive behaviors as men and boys. This challenges the traditional view of gender and aggression, and highlights the need for more nuanced and complex understandings of how aggression is expressed and experienced by individuals of all genders.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Sarah G. Null, notes that the findings have important implications for how we approach conflict resolution and aggression in families. “Our study suggests that aggression is not solely a male domain, and that parents and caregivers should be aware of the ways in which aggression can be expressed by individuals of all genders,” she says. “By recognizing and addressing the unique factors that contribute to aggression in sibling relationships, we can work to reduce conflict and improve relationships within families.”
In conclusion, the study’s findings suggest that the traditional view of women and girls as less aggressive than men and boys may not be entirely accurate. While women and girls may tend to be less aggressive in certain situations, they are just as capable of engaging in aggressive behaviors as men and boys, particularly in the context of sibling relationships. As we continue to learn more about the complex and multifaceted nature of aggression, we can work to build more inclusive and nuanced understandings of this important aspect of human behavior.
Source:
Null, S. G., et al. “Sibling aggression and the gender gap in aggression.” PNAS Nexus 1.2 (2022): e20212111.
https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/doi/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf239/8240672
