Should Gender Stereotypes be challenged?

[Homeless Nutter]

[...]
I'm on my phone right now and I can't figure out how to copy and paste links easily, but a quick Google search shows research which says gender does make a difference on wether a dog is more or less likely to be aggressive, males being more aggressive.

No rush. When you have time - just pick one reasonably large double-blinded - preferably peer-reviewed - study, with clearly stated protocols and I'm sure any skeptics - like myself - will concede the point.

You see - I also have had a lot of experience with animals and we can exchange anecdotes until the cows come home. That would be an exercise in futility.

And as I stated - even the authors you cited before don't seem absolutely convinced, so I'm sure you understand my skepticism.

[Thumpalumpacus]

That is one reason, and not necessarily exclusionary.


Do they? Do you have studies demonstrating that male dogs are more aggressive than female dogs?

http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/dog-aggression-FAQs


http://thebark.com/content/what-are-diff...emale-dogs

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-Fe...-Male-Dogs


Here is a basic sites saying statistically males are on average more aggressive than females.

I'm surprised you would ask for studies demonstrating this, basic experience with most mammals like cats and dogs should be enough to know that males are usually more aggressive.

The reason why I asked is because so often, what we regard as "everybody knows" kind of stuff is later found to be bullshit. Especially online, I will ask for sources for what seem to be the most obvious things. As noted earlier, these aren't studies, but I'll look to see if I can find any support they might be drawn on.

I appreciate you trying to come through on Pool's behalf. I'm wondering if he can be bothered to support any of his own claims beyond what you've done here.

I've had cats all my life and males have bigger territory, fight way more, I've had two ginger tom cats who were the stereotype of this, scars all of their face looking like a cat version of a pirate.
Neutered males tend to show much less aggression and cut down on their territorial behaviour because obviously they don't need to go out prowling for females.

And I've seen submissive male dogs expose belly to females. Personal experiences aren't evidence. Thanks again for the links.

[paulpablo]

http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/dog-aggression-FAQs


http://thebark.com/content/what-are-diff...emale-dogs

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-Fe...-Male-Dogs


Here is a basic sites saying statistically males are on average more aggressive than females.

I'm surprised you would ask for studies demonstrating this, basic experience with most mammals like cats and dogs should be enough to know that males are usually more aggressive.

The reason why I asked is because so often, what we regard as "everybody knows" kind of stuff is later found to be bullshit. Especially online, I will ask for sources for what seem to be the most obvious things. As noted earlier, these aren't studies, but I'll look to see if I can find any support they might be drawn on.

I appreciate you trying to come through on Pool's behalf. I'm wondering if he can be bothered to support any of his own claims beyond what you've done here.

I've had cats all my life and males have bigger territory, fight way more, I've had two ginger tom cats who were the stereotype of this, scars all of their face looking like a cat version of a pirate.
Neutered males tend to show much less aggression and cut down on their territorial behaviour because obviously they don't need to go out prowling for females.

And I've seen submissive male dogs expose belly to females. Personal experiences aren't evidence. Thanks again for the links.

I'm not trying to come through on pools behalf, I actually have no idea what any of this has to do with the thread.

I don't personally know much about dogs, I've seen a fair few documentaries and I could be mistaken but I was under the impression male dogs were the most aggressive and a quick google search backs up my claim, so far I've found websites claiming male dogs are more aggressive and statistics and research backs up their claim, I haven't been able to find the exact scientific findings but as I said I'm on my phone right now.

As for cats, I've seen male cats be intimidating by very defensive females cats once or twice, but those kind of examples are just way outnumbered by male aggression and dominance over females.
Standard sex between cats is an assertion of male dominance, there's no girl on top position when it comes to cats.

[Ben Davis]

I'm not trying to come through on pools behalf, I actually have no idea what any of this has to do with the thread.

I second that.

Pool, I'm hoping that you respond to my previous post.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Standard sex between cats is an assertion of male dominance, there's no girl on top position when it comes to cats.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Never mind. You have a good day. I don't have time for this drivel.

[paulpablo]

Standard sex between cats is an assertion of male dominance, there's no girl on top position when it comes to cats.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Never mind. You have a good day. I don't have time for this drivel.

No I'm not kidding, sexual behaviour in cats is pretty much always instigated by male aggression.
Plus territory for mating is fought over by males.
Sexual behaviour and mating practises are behaviours with some measurable displays of aggression and males are always the aggressors in feline sexual behaviour, I don't see what is drivel about this?

If you have an argument just say it, no need to be passive aggressive about it.

[downbeatplumb]

I am against all stereo types on principle. People should be judged individually not pushed into lazy boxes for your convenience.

[paulpablo]

I grew up on a farm. I've never seen what you're saying with cats or dogs. Their aggression tends to vary on individual basis. Male peacocks tend to be more aggressive than females, and female ostrich tend to be more aggressive than males. None of this means anything though. Personal experience doesn't count for much by way of evidence.

It really depends which definition of aggression is being used.

Aggression can mean forcefullness. Well male cats very commonly stronger than female cats so they can always afford to be more forceful. Their territories are about ten times bigger than a females, this is shown in studies that are easy to search for. Male sexual behvior is pretty forceful. The combination of these things result in males having bigger areas to fight for, and females to fight over.

Aggression is a feeling of anger, readiness to attack or confront, not really measurable in any scientific way. It's quite difficult to measure a feeling. I don't even really know how you could find a scientific study on aggression as a measureable unit anyway, a look or facial expression can be aggressive, walking into a territory that isn't yours can be taken as an act of aggression but you'd only know if it was or not if you could read a cats mind and know if they are doing that action aggressively or by accident.

It could just be the fact that male cats are stronger and that's why the aggression is more noticable in them but I just doubt it, all the male cats I've owned loved nothing better than to rush out and fight all night and come home with scars, ears ripped up. females would remain unscathed, limiting their aggression to hunting mice every now and again. And I did own a pretty vicious female cat too, but she was more defensive than aggressive, she wouldn't take any shit from cats coming near her but it was very rare she would go on the attack.

I know these stories aren't scientific but I love observing cat behavior and talking about it so whatever, I'm just going to ramble on anyway. My auntie once had some psycho tom cat she rescued from the inner city that was so territorial he would go out to try and try to fight cars, horses, dogs or anything that was in his area. He died, I think some kids found either its head or its body, but not attached. It probably got into some hideously violent fight with a fox or dog.

[Losty]

Cats should not be allowed to roam outside. No territories or females to fight over. They're a threat to bird population.

[paulpablo]

Cats should not be allowed to roam outside. No territories or females to fight over. They're a threat to bird population.

This could be why you didn't notice a different in male/female aggression if your cats weren't allowed to roam or have huge territory and were neutered.