Gender and Communication

Gender and Communication

            Communication appears to be more of a personal skill than the social aspect. However, few people accept that several other factors, such as gender, play a significant role in affecting the way communication goes down from one individual to another. The argument that communication patterns are different between genders, should not be taken to create rifts between the sexes but instead to help in dealing with various life issues. Conflicts occur due to a lack of understanding, and learning the differences between genders in terms of communication is essential. Besides, society needs to exist in a state of an agreement to avoid unnecessary conflicts that may result from a poor understanding of communication differences. Various researches have been documented to prove that the communication patterns between men and women are significantly different. A significant difference exists in the way men and women communicate with men appearing to prefer a reporting method of communication while women aim to create a rapport while communicating.

The primary difference caused by gender is that men prefer to use reporting communication, while women choose rapport communication. In the report type of communication, the communicator engages in a direct exchange of facts in a bid to solve a particular problem. Generally, the communicator aims at addressing the issue at hand within the shortest possible time (Avtgis, Rancer, Kanjeva & Chory, 2008). Also, communication from men usually involves less attachment of emotions, and a relationship is only developed after the problem at hand has been solved. Furthermore, men prefer the report type of communication because it gives them time to talk for a long time, while less time is left for listening. On the other hand, women prefer the “rapport” type of communication. The primary motivation behind rapport communication is to build relationships after solving the problems at hand. Unlike their male counterparts, ladies listen more than they talk while communicating. Generally, rapport communication by women involves the continuous development of a relationship while solving a problem. Therefore, the difference between genders in communication comes in through the way one prefers either listening or talking.

Moreover, another difference comes out through comfort and ego supporting skills in skills.

The perception of communication is different between men and women. Men are said to view communication as a way of exerting dominance while gaining tangible benefits. Women, on the other hand, view communication as a way of creating relationships as well as enhancing social connections. Therefore, women will tend to express their emotions in a polite way since they consider the impact that their communication will have on other parties in the communication (Holmstrom, 2009). Unlike women, men appear to exert dominance in their communication and pay little attention to the impact that their communication will have on the people they are engaging in. Generally, communication by men brings out an aspect of power hunger that prevents them from attaching emotions in their communication. Furthermore, the communication differences between men and women create differences in society as each gender attempts to have their styles of communication prevalent. Men prefer using their communication to make them independent in society while women use their communication to build social connections. Therefore, women can be said to be social beings, while their male counterparts pay little attention to social connections. Moreover, communication styles are different between women and men.

The level of confidence differs significantly between men and women. Generally, women are more afraid of being wrong compared to men who believe that being wrong is acceptable. As such, women prefer employing less power in their speeches and use less swearing. Also, women widely use tag questions and intensifiers in their speech, while interruptions are minimum in women’s speeches. On the other hand, men use power in their speech and frequently interrupt whenever they disagree with the other party. Although the main reason for the less interruption b women may not be clear, some researchers have associated the state to societal systems that have developed women to believe that they hold lower social status compared to men. Besides, several institutions have presented women as being inferior hence lowering their confidence when communicating. Also, the social-emotional aspect makes women more considerate of how society will perceive them after communication while men respect their independence more than the perception that society has after communication. Unfortunately, the communication differences have worked to the disadvantage of women.

Moreover, women have always been on the receiving end of the negative impacts of the communication differences. Generally, women speak tentatively and politely compared to men who are more assertive and confident. Leadership is viewed as a field that requires individuals with powerful speeches and confidence; thus, women have been perceived as poor performers when given leadership opportunities. The differences have also made women as being subordinate when compared to men, and different societal positions are preserved for men. Unfortunately, women appear to have given in to the perception given by society and have not been confident to fight for leadership positions that should be shared equally between the genders. Moreover, differences are seen in the objectives that come up when members of both genders communicate.

The communication objectives are significantly between men and women in that, and men are goal-oriented while women are relationship-oriented. Men generally define their objectives confidently with the perception that they can achieve results, unlike women who attach emotions in their communication to show the quality of their relationships (Mortenson, 2002). Furthermore, the different objectives are evident in the way members of the two genders deal with stressful situations. Men generally withdraw from stressful situations without involving other people to help them out. Women, on the other hand, involve their social nature in finding solutions and talk to people about the issue of stress. Generally, the difference comes in because of the way men want to be needed, appreciated, and admired, unlike women who want to be respected and devoted throughout their lives. Generally, the difference in communication styles becomes more evident when men and women have to solve a conflict, and their communication skills are required.

Moreover, the move to solve conflicts creates yet more differences in the way men and women communicate. A disconnect appears when members from both genders meet a barrier in the attempt to solve a conflict (Sullivan, 2004). When women are faced with a challenge, the first step is always to look for other women for advice in a bid to find a solution. However, men who happen to overhear women talking to other women concerning their challenges are quick to provide solutions and dismiss the problems. Also, women expect men to behave similarly when they encounter challenges, but men do not value the need to talk about one’s struggles. However, the differences have not entirely gone wrong for the women because positions have come out where communication skills play a crucial role.

Communication skills are essential in the preservation of reputation. Women are generally in communication skills where politeness and tentativeness are required. The workplace generally offers positions that require the occupants to have excellent communication skills (Merchant, 2012). Women have been beating their male counterparts for such positions as companies look for success in their customer interaction departments. However, the effectiveness of women for lower positions has been a disadvantage when women vie for managerial positions. Men are instead preferred for higher positions where social relationships are not essential. Therefore, differences in communication are significant among men and women, and both genders have enjoyed both advantages and disadvantages.

In sum, a significant difference exists in the way men and women communicate with men appearing to prefer a reporting method of communication while women aim to create a rapport while communicating. Generally, women can be said to be social beings, while their male counterparts pay little attention to social connections. The social-emotional aspect makes women more considerate of how society will perceive them after communication while men respect their independence more than the perception that society has after communication. Generally, the difference in communication styles becomes more evident when men and women have to solve a conflict, and their communication skills are required. The difference in communication according to gender should, however, not be used to create a rift between the genders.

 

 

References

Avtgis, T. A., Rancer, A. S., Kanjeva, P. A., & Chory, R. M. (2008). Argumentative and aggressive communication in Bulgaria: Testing for conceptual and methodological        equivalence. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, 37(1), 17-24.

Holmstrom, A. J. (2009). Sex and gender similarities and differences in communication values in same-sex and cross-sex friendships. Communication Quarterly, 57(2), 224-238.

Merchant, K. (2012). How men and women differ: Gender differences in communication styles, influence tactics, and leadership styles.

Mortenson, S. T. (2002). Sex, communication values, and cultural values:   Individualism‐collectivism as a mediator of sex differences in communication values in           two cultures. Communication Reports, 15(1), 57-70.

Sullivan, P. (2004). Communication differences between male and female team sport        athletes. Communication Reports, 17(2), 121-128.