The Two Worlds of Aggression for Men and Women

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess differences in the nature of physical aggression experienced by men and women. Random digit dialing with Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing was used to obtain a sample of 1,753 Ontario adults aged 18–60 (response rate of 67%). This method of sampling obtains respondents who reflect the ethnic and social diversity of Ontario. Respondents were asked to describe the most recent incident of physical aggression in which they had been personally involved during the past year. Most incidents reported by females were with a male opponent, usually a spouse, partner, or friend, did not involve alcohol consumption, resulted in high negative emotional impact, and pertained to jealousy. Incidents reported by males tended to be with other males, friends or strangers, in bars or public places, and involved four or more participants who had been drinking. Incidents involving only men had lower emotional impact on respondents and included more punching, threatening, and insulting behavior compared to incidents involving other gender combinations. These results are discussed in terms of the implications for violence generally and the importance of addressing male-to-male aggression and factors that foster this form of aggression.