Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry Warriors and Worriers - Joyce Benenson | Maiden Mother Matriarch Episode 171
Nov 9, 2025
Joyce Benenson, a Harvard Lecturer in Human Evolutionary Biology and author of 'Warriors and Worriers,' dives into the fascinating world of male psychology. She explores why young boys are drawn to enemies and superheroes, linking these interests to evolved traits for aggression and team identity. Joyce discusses how early experiences with play fighting and weapon fascination shape boys, and examines how peaceful environments can transform aggression into sports and martial arts. Her insights on the importance of male role models in guiding boys’ behaviors are particularly enlightening.
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Play Primes Boys For Group Conflict
- Boys rehearse group warfare through imaginative play, superheroes, and enemies from early childhood.
- This play builds coalition identity, hierarchy skills, and a drive to protect the in-group.
Kids Internalize Adult Talk Quickly
- Louise Perry recounts her four-year-old obsessing over an adult conversation about Vladimir Putin and inventing a plot to kill him.
- Joyce Benenson recalls her son arguing for war in the bathtub, showing early enthusiasm for conflict.
Chimp Patrols Mirror Human Warfare
- Chimpanzee males patrol and attack neighboring groups to expand territory and reproductive opportunities.
- This territorial, male-led coalition behaviour parallels human male warfare across evolutionary time.
