Women’s terror participation stems from social frustration, not feminine nature

Evidence

Knight (1979), in analyzing the significant female participation in the terrorist branch of the Russian Socialist Revolutionary party, contends that terrorism would not have developed as strongly as it did without the critical role of women. Although, Knight argues, the women terrorists whom she studied were more emotionally than rationally inspired, their emotional needs were derived less from inherently feminine traits than from their isolated and frustrated position in a society that offers few outlets for women. She found women terrorists distinctively ethical and moral in their approach to violence, determined and absolutely committed, and bent on self-sacrifice and martyrdom. Their view of terrorism was highly subjective and personal; women valued the sense of importance they gained from participation. The fact that several later showed signs of instability Knight attributes to the trauma of the experience rather than predisposition. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4112 (#responds-to, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Terrorism stems from small-group dynamics rather than abnormal personalities — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4179; Terrorism emerges from the intersection of disposition and environment, not single personality types — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology: Key Readings, 4086; Early scholars linked women’s terrorism to sexual nature rather than social position. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4112 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Early scholars linked women’s terrorism to sexual nature rather than social position. #responds-to (0.92) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4112