Males Quote by de Becker, Gavin
““The absence of adult males upsets the natural order in our species and in others. For example, game wardens in South Africa recently had to kill several teenage male elephants that had uncharacteristically become violent. These young elephants behaved like a contemporary street gang—and perhaps for the same reason: There were no adult males in their lives. To solve the problem, park officials imported adult male elephants from outside the area. Almost immediately, the remaining juveniles stopped misbehaving. Testosterone ungoverned by experience is dangerous, and older males temper the craving for dominance—merely by being dominant themselves.””
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “Elephants and the Missing Males”, 2023
Adult male presence stabilizes social groups; their absence leads to unchecked aggression in juveniles.
In simple terms: Adult males keep younger ones in check.
Key Takeaway
Include mature leaders to guide youth.
Themes
leadership
social order
aggression
hierarchy
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- wildlife management
- conservation
- community leadership
- team dynamics
Key Concepts
behavioral ecology
dominance theory
social stability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does male presence affect group behavior?
- What alternatives exist when leaders are missing?
A Different Perspective
If adult males are absent, other mechanisms may be needed to enforce norms.
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