Competition and Gender

[Page 363]Gender, or the presentation of feminine or masculine attributes in human beings, and competition are integrally related. Societal expectations of gender set ideas for how women (girls) and men (boys) should behave in various facets of life, and this includes competitive behaviors. As we seek to understand the motivations of behavior to form supportive and healthy relationships, work effectively with clients, and work and live cooperatively with friends, family, and colleagues, appreciating the underlying cognitions, behaviors, and attitudes that guide competition is essential. This entry offers a definition of gender and competition and explores how competition is shaped by gender role expectation and viewed by societal expectations of gender. This entry further explores major theoretical formulations about gender and competitive behaviors.