Aggression in sportswomen: its causation, activation and value

Abstract

This thesis attempts to gather together the many strands of thought on the causation, activation and value of aggression to human beings. It then focuses specifically on the value of the characteristic to women. Because of the importance of sport to a vast majority of the human race aggressive sportswomen become strong role models for other women. Because role models are one of the major causes of behaviour pattern repetiton, an increase in aggression in women who play sport will inevitably lead to an increase in aggression in women in general. The major conclusions reached by this study are as follows: there is a great deal of confusion on the subject of the causation of aggression in human beings. While consensus has yet to be achieved, it does seem clear that aggressive action is promoted by a socially learnt appropriateness of the response. If this is true then the importance of sportswomen as instigators of freely expressed aggression in all women is highlighted; The sporting arena is shown to promote not only legal and acceptable aggression, but also overtly and covertly to promote reactive aggression. Women are as susceptible to the permissive atmosphere in sport for aggression as men are, although currently not to the same degree; There are conflicting opinions on the value of aggression as a human characteristic; There are those who believe that aggression is valuable, some believe that it is especially valuable to men and that it is one of the cornerstones of a patriarchal society because it is an inherently male characteristic; there are many groups who believe that aggression is a flaw in humans, either for pacifistic, religious or feminist reasons; finally there are those who advocate aggression as a useful, empowering and communicative force in all human lives; This study comes to the conclusion that if the definition of aggression were made, and used, more precisely then many of the so called flaws of aggression would be seen to be falsely attributed to the characteristic. It also concludes that the attribution of specifically masculine and feminine characteristics is stifling and a more open attitude to behaviour should be cultivated. Finally it posits a belief in the value of aggression if it is used to empower rather than to have power over.