Dear Shirley:
Can girls be more like guys when it comes to being physically competitive?
On the Edge
Dear Edge:
Competitiveness is the desire to be better than your competition. In most cultures, males have been considered the more competitive sex. Males are more overtly aggressive and assert physical force in striving for power over the competitor. Females practice different tactics; tend to be more subtle, emotional and use social coercion. They can be as competitive as males but usually do not exhibit as much physical aggressiveness.
In 2008, Joy Benson of Emmanuel College in Boston conducted a classic developmental study designed to assess how males and females respond to competitive situations. Eighty-seven toddlers (age 4) were separated into all- male and all-female groups of three. Each group was given three puppets to play with. The experimental team found that when there were plenty of puppets to go around both males and females shared the toy puppets and played about the same way. When the groups were given just one puppet distinct differences between the sexes emerged: The boys would ask for the puppet, grab for it or chase the child with puppet until they got it. The girls however, employed an indirect approach in an effort to get the prized possession. They would use the threat of social exclusion by shunning, whispering, talking behind her back or hiding from the puppet holder.
Melanie Emery Thompson of University of New Mexico stated, “At an early age girls tend to avoid risky aggressive tactics in favor of more subtle forms of competitiveness. They use small shifts in tone of voice, expression, or spread rumors. It is a myth that women are naturally less competitive.” Adult studies indicate males work better in large groups, while females prefer to work in pairs and maintain only a few close female relationships.
A study conducted through the National Bureau of Economic Research found that men from the Tanzanian patriarchal society of Maasi opted to compete at twice the rate as Maasai women. The reverse was indicated in the matrilineal Khasi of India. The women choose the competitive environment more often than the Khasi men.
In 1972, Title IX opened up the world of competitive sports to females. In today's society girls have more opportunity to participate in competitive sports and be accepted as equals on the playing field. There they can be outwardly aggressive in an acceptable manner. Youth play co-ed soccer where sometimes the girls are better players than some of the boys but they learn to work together as a team to put forth their best effort. Girls can choose to put themselves in competitive and challenging arenas to seek and discover their own comfort level of athleticism.
A good example of girls finding their competitive edge played out in White Crush (Backcountry Magazine, p.41-45, December, 2009). Six women went on a free heel tour in Alaska from Girls Gone Girdwood to the chutes of Thompson Pass in Valdez. These telemark queens were ‘girls pushing each other to ski better.' In the limited space of the RV they were traveling in, catty behavior came out in form of verbal jesting. Pro Tele Girl Shaun Raskin stated “The trip was incredible; basically like the Real World: Alaska. I can't wait to be rid of all these bitches.” Then she says, “Just kidding. We would not be good at the whole Real World thing. I usually don't like hanging out with girls, but I did love every minute of this trip.”
“Ask Shirley” questions can be focused on any topics involving life, health, fitness, mental training, competition, clinical issues or addictions. Please, email your questions to Askshirl@gmail.com . All questions will remain anonymous. Shirley K. Durtschi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Chemical Dependency Counselor Supervisor (CDCS) for the State of Alaska, and Applied Sport Psychology Certified Consultant (AASP-CC).
