Men, Women, And Aggression

by Anne Campbell, Ellen Levine (Designed by), Barbara duPree Knowles (Designed by)

Why are men more aggressive than women? To find out, psychologist and criminologist Anne Campbell listened to the voices of ordinary men and women, as well as people for whom aggression is a central fact of life—robbers and gang members. The answer, she argues, lies not only in biology or in child rearing but in how men and women form opinions about their own aggression. Women believe their aggression results from a loss of self-control, while men see their behavior as a means of gaining control over others. Daughters are deeply ashamed when they get angry, but sons learn to associate aggression with integrity, courage, and triumph. Campbell shows how men's and women's different views of anger and restraint profoundly affect their actions—from rage in marriage to violence in the streets—and what this means for us all. The misreading of the meaning of aggression drives a wedge between the sexes, affecting everything from their ability to communicate with each other to the way that traditionally male-dominated spheres such as law or medicine pathologize and punish women's aggression. The book draws together two research areas that have had little dialogue with one another—aggression and gender differences—to present for the first time a theory of their interrelationship. The book also reveals the links between criminal violence and psychological processes common to all of us. A major contribution in the tradition of You Just Don't Understand and In a Different Voice , this book offers a new understanding of a vital issue.

Genres: Womens, Nonfiction

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Rozalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a good and worthy read on aggression. It's a bit too old to sum up the contemporary situation though. Another proof that society has changed a lot within the last 20 year.

[Serah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Campbell’s exploration of the differences between male and female aggression gave me a lot to think about. One thing I kept coming back to was whether women are given enough space to express anger, particularly within female friendships. I think they should be. My friends are allowed to be angry, frustrated or upset, even with me. But for me, there is a difference between expressing anger and directing it at another person. We can talk about your anger. We can talk about why you’re angry with me. I just don’t think anyone should have to become the recipient of someone else’s emotions.

The book also made me think about what different social groups tolerate. I’m not convinced that being more comfortable with overt aggression automatically makes male relationships healthier. Sometimes tolerance can become a lack of accountability, and that distinction matters to me.