Male Aggression Against Women: An Evolutionary Perspective

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In her 1992 paper, “Male Aggression Against Women: An Evolutionary Perspective”, Smuts addresses four unique components, to examine the evolutionary assumption that male aggression against females occurs to optimize male reproductive success. Firstly, Smuts (1992) explores female resistance to such behavior in nonhuman primates, which she elucidates as a male reproductive strategy to control female sexuality. Secondly, several case studies of nonhuman primates are examined to formulate hypotheses explaining the role of male aggression in the evolution of human pair bonds (Smuts, 1992). Thirdly, Smuts (1992) uses her analysis of nonhuman primates to explain the cross-cultural variation in male aggression via proposing five hypotheses. Lastly, …show more content…

Firstly, Smuts (1992) explores female resistance to such behavior in nonhuman primates, which she elucidates as a male reproductive strategy to control female sexuality. The parental investment theory proposed by Robert Trivers explains that the amount of paternal care invested by males depends on numerous factors associated with the likelihood of the offspring’s survival (Smuts, 1992). Since male reproductive success is limited by the ability to fertilize females, males benefit by mating with fertile females while females do not benefit in the same manner (Smuts, 1992). Sexual conflict of interest is developed due to such contrasting strategies to optimize reproduction (Smuts, 1992). Although some males offer food, protection or aid in child rearing – other males resort to force or the threat of force to increase their chances of mating females (Smuts, 1992). Additionally, the role of male sexual coercion in influencing pair bonds is also explored. Due to the importance of male sexual coercion among nonhuman primates, Smuts (1992) challenges readers to consider the alternative hypothesis that pair bonds initially provided

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