Gender Differences and Aggression
by Males and females are different when it comes to expressing aggressive behaviors.
To better understand if there is a difference between gender and aggression comparing definitions of both subjects is necessary. Gender difference is a distinction of biological and/or physiological characteristics typically associated with either males or females of a species in general (“Gender Diff.“, n.d.). Aggression refers to behavior between members of the same species that is intended to cause pain or harm that takes a variety of forms and CAN be physical, mental, or verbal (“Aggression“, n.d.). Now the question concerning a difference among genders can be explored. When we think of aggression we think of hurting others through physical use. If this were the true case then the childhood phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me”(author anonymous), would also be true. Question: is this a true statement? (The answer to this question will be reported in the conclusion of this post).
Gender differences in aggression have frequently been reported, such that men and boys show more aggression than women and girls, especially in terms of physical aggression (Burton, Hafetz, &Henninger, 2007).. However Rachel Simmons the author of the New York Times bestseller Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, the first book to explore the phenomenon of bullying between girls suggests that females are not necessarily less aggressive, but tend to express through not only physical aggression, but also through non-physical means, such as manipulation, exclusion, and gossip (Dettinger & Hart, 2007). This type of aggression is referred to as relational aggression.
Relational aggression has been described as the kind of aggression which is not physical, but does harm to others via manipulation, social inclusion/exclusion, and damaging of relationships with others (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995). There are two types of relational aggression: proactive and reactive. Proactive relational aggression is when behaviors are a means for achieving a goal. Reactive relational aggression is behavior that is in response to provocation, with the intent to retaliate (“RA”, n.d.).
Professionals should be aware of the different types of aggression and how males and females use aggression. Falling into the trap of thinking “words can never harm us” could be overlooking a problem that needs to be worked on. Some schools are also seeing other forms of bullying and other non-physical forms of aggression to be just as harmful as physical forms. Strict bullying policies are being placed in schools with punishment being equal to physical aggression. In my career as a counselor the question about physical and sexual abuse is part of an evaluation. More often than not males and females will explain that emotional and mental abuse was just as prevalent as either physical and/or sexual abuse. So it is this learner’s opinion that words and other non physical forms of aggression can harm us, and can often cause such depression and feelings of low self esteem. Professionals should be aware of this and deal with it accordingly. So the answer to the question this learner put forth in the beginning of this post would be a false statement, and words do harm and can continue to harm throughout a person’s life.
References
Aggression. (n.d.). In (Ed.), Wikipedia. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggression;
Burton, L., Hafetz, J., & Henninger, D. (2007). Gender Differences in Relational and PhysicalAggression. SoicalL Behavior And Personality, 35(1), 41-50. Retrieved from http://www.fordham.edu/academics/programs_at_fordham_/psychology/burton/
pdf/burton_etal_SBP_07.pdf
Crick, N. R., & Grotpeter, J. K. (1995). Relational aggression, gender, and social-psychological adjustment. Child Development, 66, 710–722.
Dettinger, S., & Hart, G. (2007). The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Indirect Aggression In The Workplace. Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology, 1(1). Retrieved from http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2007/articles/1070.htm
Gender Differnces. (n.d.). In (Ed.), Wikipedia. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_differences.
Relational Aggression (RA, n.d.). Mean Girls—Realities of Relational Aggression. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from http://www.spsk12.net/departments/specialed/Relational %20Aggression.htm
Simmons, R. (2002). Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls. Orlando, Fl.: Harcourt, Inc..
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