Abstract
A great deal of research shows that adolescent and adult males are more likely to engage in physical aggression and violence than females are. However, few studies have examined cross‐cultural variation in sex differences, particularly among low‐ and middle‐income countries [LMICs]. Based on social role and sexual selection theories, we derived two hypotheses regarding possible variations in sex differences across societal contexts: 1) sex differences increase with societal gender polarization (social role theory) and 2) sex differences are exacerbated in societies where socio‐economic opportunities are scarce, unequal, or insecure (prediction derived from sexual selection theory). The current study examined the prevalence of and variation in sex differences in physical aggression, as measured by frequent fighting, among 247,909 adolescents in 63 low‐ and middle‐income countries. The results show that, overall, males were over twice as likely (OR = 2.68; 95% CI = 2.60–2.76) to report frequent fighting in the past 12 months than females. However, sex differences vary significantly across LMICs, wherein countries with higher female prevalence rates have smaller sex differences in frequent fighting. Contrary to expectations derived from social role theory, sex differences in physical aggression decrease as societal gender inequality increased. In regards to sexual selection theory, we find no evidence that sex differences in frequent fighting varies according to societal rule of law or income inequality.
Highlights
Existing evidence suggests that males are consistently more likely to engage in direct physical aggression than females (Archer, 2004, 2009; Fagan & Lindsey, 2014)
Wood and Eagly (2010, 2012) argue that evolved physical differences between males and females can account for the emergence of the stereotypical division of labor and the social roles that affect the likelihood of physical aggression
In filling the aforementioned research gaps, this study aims to make two contributions to the understanding of sex differences in physical aggression among adolescents: 1) we describe, for the first time, the prevalence of adolescent physical aggression, as measured by frequent fighting among peers, in sixty-three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), focusing explicitly on sex differences and 2) we assess variation in sex differences in physical aggression between these countries and test to what extent sex differences vary in accordance with social role and sexual selection theories
Summary
Existing evidence suggests that males are consistently more likely to engage in direct physical aggression than females (Archer, 2004, 2009; Fagan & Lindsey, 2014). The first explanation, known as social role theory, posits that sex differences in physical aggression are the result of socialization into gender roles that differentially prescribe the use of aggression and violence among males and females Social role theorists argue that men are more likely to be physically aggressive due to societal emphasis on stereotypical dominant and competitive roles (Archer, 2009; Eagly et al, 2000). Wood and Eagly (2010, 2012) argue that evolved physical differences between males and females can account for the emergence of the stereotypical division of labor and the social roles that affect the likelihood of physical aggression Later versions of the theory incorporated physical sex differences as constraints on roles (Wood & Eagly, 2010, 2012). Wood and Eagly (2010, 2012) argue that evolved physical differences between males and females can account for the emergence of the stereotypical division of labor and the social roles that affect the likelihood of physical aggression
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