You might be wondering why such behaviours seem to be more evident in boys than girls. Research shows boys (on the whole) tend to be more physical in how they play.
Their play often focuses on themes related to power and dominance and playful aggression is the perfect way to experiment with these themes.
Theories about sex differences in social play extend across many research areas including psychology, neurobiology, evolutionary psychology and anthropology. Current theories link these differences to testosterone and differences in neurochemistry.
There is some evidence to suggest boys and girls are socialised differently in relation to being physical.
However, the degree of influence is contestable given sex differences in behaviour appear very early in life and in other mammals. Perhaps the socialisation process exacerbates nature – and as such, nature and nurture may be working in tandem.
The end result is still the same, with more boys than girls engaging in playful aggression.
When girls role play, it tends to focus on what researchers call “tend and befriend” or on people and nurturing. For example, games built around families or looking after pets.
But this is not to say girls can’t be aggressive. However, research suggests if girls fight it is usually done with words to hurt someone’s feelings and children are upset with each other. It is not done for fun.
Source: Do your boys fight with sticks, Nerf guns and fake swords all the time? Here’s why they do it