Female Aggression in Cross-Cultural Perspective

TLDR

The study surveys adult female aggression across cultures. Female aggression occurs worldwide, is largely verbal, targets other females (co‑wives, rivals) and occasionally husbands, and is driven by competition for men or resources as well as defensive motives.

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a preliminary cross-cultural survey of adult human female aggression. Cases of female-initiated aggres sion, ranging from verbal abuse to murder, are found in all regions of the world. Female aggression is largely directed against other females and generally involves little injury. Co-wives and other rivals in sex and marriage are the most common victims. Husbands are the most common male targets. Female aggression is often a means of competing for men or subsistence products, but it may also be a means of defense.