Gender and Communication

The different ways men and women communicate has been a problem throughout time. This difference in communication style has created conflict in romantic relationships, marriages, and even friendships. To think of a world where men and women communicate on the same level is almost impossible to comprehend. We have been conditioned to believe that the genders will never see on an eye-to-eye basis and have accepted this. But, is it to hard to expect that the genders speak on the same level? From my findings in research, I think there is going to be a change in the way communication in relationships is conducted. This change may even arise in my own lifetime.

Studies have shown that women are superior to men in verbal ability and men are better at visual/spatial ability. Unfortunately in most of these tests, this was only noted as slight difference and not always the case. It was only true on the average and didn't account for those who scored substantially above or below their gender group's level. These conclusions may also be based on cultural expectations and learned behaviors (Rathus 383).

Psychological studies also revealed that men are more likely to show aggression in an open environment. Women tend to avoid confrontatio

Women are also more likely to display feelings of confusion, despair, hurt, and compassion. This is a common thought when it comes to the communication styles between men and women. All of us women know that men don't stop for directions right? WRONG. Any time I am with a man and we end up lost in downtown Miami, he definitely gets out and asks for directions ASAP. Most of the material I researched followed the stories my mother and grandmother told me of their experiences in the past. From this I have drawn the conclusion that times are changing and communication will be getting easier between the genders.

The original roles of man and woman are changing and evolving into a new breed of people with new ways of communication. Men and women are similar in many ways now and are not viewing life and their roles in life from different angles. More and more you hear of a man staying home to look after the children, when the mother goes out to her high paying job and supports the family. Perhaps, this new breed of communication and behaviors will lead to a reality where there is a dominant person in a relationship and a submissive one not stereotyped as male dominance and female submission. We are seeing it more and more every day, women taking charge of their lives, and men content to take care of families.

Rathus, Spencer A., Essentials of Psychology. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc., 1994.

Kipnis, Aaron. Gender War, Gender Peace: The Quest for Love and Justice Between Women and Men. Morrow, 1994.

Through learned behavior and taught feelings, we develop our personalities. Communication style is mostly about personality. How do people get a sense of personality? By listening to others communicate. So, from this we draw the conclusion that the way we communicate is the way we were taught to communicate. The speech classes taught throughout high school and college can prove this. From my own experience, my first speech was completely different from my final speech in class. I was taught to communicate to a crowd, how to act in front of a crowd, and how to conceal my emotions in front of that crowd in order to effectively send my message.

Arliss, Laurie. Gender Communication. Prentice Hall, 1991.