The document discusses gender differences in communication styles. It notes that while sex is determined by genetics, gender is a social and cultural construct defined by qualities, activities and roles. Children learn gendered communication norms from a young age through families, peers and segregated playgroups. Boys' games tend to be larger, competitive and rule-focused, teaching assertion, while girls' games are smaller, cooperative without fixed rules or objectives, teaching care for feelings. As adults, people continue to communicate within distinct feminine and masculine speech communities, but being open to other styles can improve relationships.

1. Gendered Speech
Communities

2. The differences between women and
men
 Not innate
 Not unchangeable
 Differences – different social communities

3. The social-symbolic construction of
gender
 Sex – genetic code
 Primary & secondary characteristics
 Brain difference: women – right hemisphere (creativity) & better connection
between the two hemispheres; men – left hemisphere (abstraction & analysis)
 Gender – cultural meaning of sex:
 Qualities
 Activities
 Roles

4. Becoming gendered
 Communication of social expectations:
 Family
 Peers
 School
 Media
 Workplace
 Interaction in sex-segregated kids’ play groups:
 Different games – different rules of interaction:
 Girls’ games – 2-3 involved, personal relationships, no fixed rules / objectives.
 Learning obtained: cooperation, no criticism, care for others’ feelings
 Boys’ games – 9 or more involved, competition, fixed rules
 Learning obtained: assertion, focus on results, competition

5. Feminine and masculine communication
communities
 Speech community – group that follows a set of communication norms
 Learned in childhood, continued in adulthood
 Sticking to one gender only = limiting your communication
 Tendency to judge – differences are “better” or “worse”, NOT different”

6. Gender gaps in communication (females
VS males)
 Support – understanding feelings VS offering solutions
 Feedback – showing you are listening VS agreeing
 Care – quiet time VS big celebration VS
 Independence – asking for help VS figuring it out
 Relationship talk – just talking VS solving problems

7. Understanding gendered communication
FEMALE STYLE
 Feelings to be understood
 Interest & involvement through
verbal & non-verbal cues
 Closeness through talking
 Reliance on others
 Talk to build relationships (even if
the relationship is good)
MALE STYLE
 Give advice
 Agreement or lack of through
verbal & non-verbal cues
 Closeness through doing
 Independence
 Talk to accomplish things (when
the relationship is bad)

8. Communicating effectively between
genders
 Stop judging
 Recognize all styles as valid
 Help others to understand you
 Try to understand others
 Expand your own style