Gender Gap in Communication
GENDER GAP IN COMMUNICATION
Why is there a gender difference in communication? Well the reason is that those differences are due to the differences between men and women of course, but that they are also very dependent on the environment into which the conversation takes place. The gender gap was out there, has always existed and would be there as long as there is a human race. Communication is the key to developing deeper bonds with the people in your life because it opens the doors to better understanding of the other person while allowing you to express yourself. Listening attentively is vital to healthy communication. Listen actively by asking questions, repeating their statements, nodding and being fully engaged. Let your partner know you appreciate her by offering compliments on things she does and says. (Penn State: Tips for Effective Communication) Gender communication is communication about and between men and women. Recognizing gender differences in communication enables both sexes to communicate better with each other. According to Deborah Tannen, (1992, p 17), many women and men feel dissatisfied with their close relationships and become even more frustrated when they try to talk things out. There are gender differences in ways of speaking, and a need to identify and understand them. Without such understanding, we are doomed to blame others or ourselves-or the relationship- for the otherwise mystifying and damaging effects of our contrasting conversational styles.
Society may wonder why it needs to know about gender communication, and the response is simple. According to Ivy and Backlund, gender communication is provocative, pervasive, problematic, and unpredictable (1994). Humans are especially interested in communication with the opposite sex for several reasons; the main reason is we cannot experience the opposite sex firsthand. They are also interested in the possible rewards that may come from successful gender communication. Gender
Why is there a gender difference in communication? Well the reason is that those differences are due to the differences between men and women of course, but that they are also very dependent on the environment into which the conversation takes place. The gender gap was out there, has always existed and would be there as long as there is a human race. Communication is the key to developing deeper bonds with the people in your life because it opens the doors to better understanding of the other person while allowing you to express yourself. Listening attentively is vital to healthy communication. Listen actively by asking questions, repeating their statements, nodding and being fully engaged. Let your partner know you appreciate her by offering compliments on things she does and says. (Penn State: Tips for Effective Communication) Gender communication is communication about and between men and women. Recognizing gender differences in communication enables both sexes to communicate better with each other. According to Deborah Tannen, (1992, p 17), many women and men feel dissatisfied with their close relationships and become even more frustrated when they try to talk things out. There are gender differences in ways of speaking, and a need to identify and understand them. Without such understanding, we are doomed to blame others or ourselves-or the relationship- for the otherwise mystifying and damaging effects of our contrasting conversational styles.
Society may wonder why it needs to know about gender communication, and the response is simple. According to Ivy and Backlund, gender communication is provocative, pervasive, problematic, and unpredictable (1994). Humans are especially interested in communication with the opposite sex for several reasons; the main reason is we cannot experience the opposite sex firsthand. They are also interested in the possible rewards that may come from successful gender communication. Gender
References: (Routledge Taylor & Francis Group; Gender Differences in Language Use: An Analysis of 14,000 Text Samples; Matthew L. Newman, et al.; June 2008) Leiden University: Male and Female Language Growing Together; Irene van Baalen; April 19, 2001 Gray, J., Ph.D. (1992). Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. New York: HarperCollins. Ivy, D. K. and Backlund, P. (1994). Exploring Gender Speak, Personal Effectiveness in Gender Communication. New York: McGraw-Hill Inc. Tannen, D. (1992). You Just Don’t Understand. Men and Women in Conversation. London: Press. We, G. (1993). Cross Gender Communication in Cyberspace. Canada: Simon Fraser University. Http://eserver.org/feminism/cross-gender-comm.txt http://www.livestrong.com/article/87870-elements-effective-oral-communication/#ixzz1PL8R1dah http://www.ehow.com/info_8000301_differences-between-males-females-language.html#ixzz1PLCRFFQg http://www.suite101.com/content/gender-and-work