WOMEN, MEN, AND COMMUNICATION
• Sex and Gender in Communication
“Gender” is not the politically correct term for “sex”
oSex is to race (biological, genetic characteristics) as gender is to culture
(sociological, learned characteristics)
oTerms denoting sex: “female” and “male”
oTerms denoting gender: “feminine” and “masculine”
oProminent schools of thought debate the distinctions:
Between sexes – what are the genetic differences (both physical and
psychological) between female and male?
Between genders – what are the social, cultural norms for feminine
and masculine?
Between sex and gender – what are the distinctions between female
and feminine, male and masculine?
The radical feminist school asserts that there are no natural (genetic)
psychological differences between women and men that extend beyond
physical and reproductive characteristics
oThey believe all psychological and identity differences are due to the
forces of “nurture” (socially learned norms)
oBecause all non-physical differences are socially learned (imposed), they
seek social revision – to expose and de-legitimize oppressive feminine
and masculine norms
The liberal feminist school asserts that some psychological and identity
differences between women and men are due to the forces of “nature”
(genetics) (brains)
oAlthough they believe there are natural (“essential”) differences, they
debate what these differences are
oBecause some non-physical differences are genetically inherited, they
seek social inclusion – to legitimize the essential characteristics of
women in a male-dominated “patriarchal” world
• Differing Characteristics of Women and Men Due to Biologically Inherited Traits
(Sex) or Socially Created Norms (Gender)
Categories Characteristics Characteristics
of Being of Women of Men
Social affection/devotion respect/esteem
Goals interdependence independence
relational connection status achievement
show that “I am valuable” show that “I am capable”
Means of subjective objective
Sense-Making intuitive empirical
feeling reasoning
Interaction emotive factual
Styles rapport-talk report-talk
high nonverbal high verbal
high context/contact low context/contact
grace/accepting/tolerating truth/evaluating/correcting
participative democracy authoritative hierarchy
cooperative competitive
consensus-building alliance-building
Currencies convince by persuasion compliance by power
of Influence captivating charm compelling strength
civilizing conquering
caring and nurturing daring and disciplining
• Implications for Interpersonal Relationships
Avoid constructing normative boxes for unique individuals
oDiscover and appreciate differences
Unity rather than uniformity is a relational asset
oMultiple perspectives provide depth perception
oComplimentary capabilities provide relational resources (Gaps):
Paulie: [talking about Adrian] “You like her?”
Rocky: “Sure, I like her.”
Paulie: “What's the attraction?”
Rocky: “I dunno... she fills gaps.”
Paulie: “What's 'gaps'?”
Rocky: “I dunno, she's got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps.”
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