Athlete Aggression on the Rink and off the Ice

Abstract

Because male athletes have exhibited aggressive tendencies in a variety of settings, they may be at risk for using violence both within and beyond their sports involvement. Five former college/professional hockey players were interviewed to determine their perspectives on the nature of aggression and violence in sports competition as well as in social relationships.The informants were asked aboutathletes’violence and aggression toward teammates, acquaintances, and female intimates. This analysis includes participants’ experiences, observations, and explanations of the instances of violence in hockey culture. The study findings yield (1) a greater understanding of the ways in which hockey socialization and athletes’notions of masculinity combine to create a culture of aggression and violence and (2) two major factors—consumption of alcohol and the objectification of women—that contribute to exporting violence outside the athletic arena.

Re-Examining the Relationship between Interscholastic Sport Participation and Delinquency: Type of Sport Matters

“…Our findings partially support the research linking aggressive contact sports to violence off the playing field (Benedict and Yeager 1998;Pappas, McKenry, and Catlett 2004;Weinstein, Smith and Wiesenthal 1995). The research of Benedict and Yeager (1998) helps to contextualize our findings about the unique effects of football participation.…”

“…There has also been substantial previous research that links aggressive contact sports to violence off the playing field (Benedict and Yaeger, 1998;Pappas, McKenry, and Catlett 2004;Weinstein, Smith, and Wiesenthal 1995). Benedict and Yeager (1988) depict a violent subculture existing within the NFL; they document the crimes committed by National Football League (NFL) players, such as domestic violence, rape, drug dealing, murder, and more.…”

“…Benedict and Yeager (1988) depict a violent subculture existing within the NFL; they document the crimes committed by National Football League (NFL) players, such as domestic violence, rape, drug dealing, murder, and more. Pappas, McKenry, and Catlett (2004) elucidate the development of a "hockey subculture." They explain that the value of a hockey player is demonstrated via the display of fighting skills and aggression, which is reinforced by teammates, coaches, and spectators, and that "this hockey subculture plays itself out against a larger backdrop of conventions of masculinity in conventional society" (303).…”

Beyond the Individual: Sources of Attitudes Towards Rule Violation in Sport

“…1 Thus, perhaps the most important aspect of emotion cultures in sport is their (emotionally) normative influence on individual athletes. The aggressive behaviour of a North American ice hockey player may not reflect or coincide fully with his individual emotional tendencies towards aggression; he may not behave aggressively outside the playing field, that is, in social contexts where he is not influenced by the emotional culture in North American ice hockey and its normative hold (for a study on aggression in ice hockey see Pappas, McKenry and Catlet 2004). Similarly, it is unreasonable to assume that everyone who plays rugby must generally speaking have an aggressive nature 'by default'.…”

Violence in youth sports: hazing, brawling and foul play

“…Organisers of pro sport may view punishment of fighting more as a public relations tool than a deterrent of future misconduct 36. Fighting can also be a demonstration of the players’ masculinity and toughness 37 38 39…”