Do Women’s Boxing and MMA Make Us More Barbaric as a Society?
It is true that a multitude of factors can contribute to the perceived barbarism or savagery of a society. However, the argument that allowing consenting adults to engage in professional boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as we see in women’s boxing and MMA makes us more barbaric is, at best, an overgeneralization that lacks empirical evidence.
Violence in Society: A Relativistic Perspective
One cannot simply dismiss women’s boxing and MMA as promoting barbarism without examining the broader context of societal change and evolution. Violence, in various forms, has been present in human societies for millennia. Throughout history, it has neither led to the deterioration nor the improvement of societies on its own.
The introduction of women’s boxing, which began gaining significant traction in the early 2000s, marks a milestone in the evolution of professional sports. However, it would be scientifically dishonest to attribute observable improvements in social metrics such as crime rates, death rates, and health outcomes solely or primarily to the existence of women’s boxing and MMA.
Logic and statistics do not support the assertion that a correlation implies causation. For instance, post hoc ergo propter hoc is a logical fallacy where one assumes that if event B follows event A, event A must have caused event B. It is scientifically irresponsible to claim that because women's boxing has gained prominence, all forms of societal violence have decreased. This relationship, if any, is complex and multifaceted.
The Evolution of Sports and Society
The evolution of sports, particularly combat sports like boxing and MMA, reflects broader societal trends. Sports have historically been an avenue for societal expression, allowing people to channel their energies, abilities, and emotions in safe and structured settings. By participating in boxing and MMA, women and men alike are engaging in a structured form of competition that serves as a form of self-expression and discipline.
Moreover, the legalization and acceptance of women’s boxing and MMA are indicative of broader social progresses, such as women's empowerment, gender equality, and the recognition of diverse competitive desires. These sports have provided women with opportunities they may not have had otherwise, fostering personal growth and confidence.
Correlation vs. Causation: Analyzing Violence
A more rigorous analysis is required to establish causality between the rise of women’s boxing and MMA and any changes in societal behavior. While it is true that violence rates have generally decreased in many parts of the world over the past decades, this trend cannot be attributed solely to the presence of women in these combat sports.
Rates of violence, crime, and death are influenced by a myriad of factors, including economic conditions, social policies, healthcare availability, and cultural attitudes. The introduction of women into combat sports is one small part of a much broader social context.
Conclusion: Understanding Barbarism in Society
Understanding the complex nature of barbarism or societal savagery requires a holistic approach. It is not accurate nor fair to blame the inclusion of women’s boxing and MMA as the sole or even a significant cause of an increase in societal barbarism. Instead, it is essential to recognize the positive contributions these sports make to individual and societal progress, while also acknowledging the multifaceted nature of violence and its complex interplay with various social and economic factors.
The evolution of combat sports, including women’s boxing and MMA, is a reflection of evolving social norms and a recognition of the diverse competitive desires that exist within human society. Rather than viewing these sports as a sign of societal barbarism, we should embrace them as tools for personal and social development.