Even in childhood women are more likely to express themselves emotionally than males, who traditionally have difficulty expressing themselves except via traditional means such as through anger, joy or "sexual arousal" (Joseph, 2000).
What does all of this mean? It certainly affirms the statement I made initially that females are better communicators than men. The evidence that is available to explain this difference suggests that females generally exhibit more language ability because of biological factors and because of societal pressures which dictate that women are better with regard to communication abilities and verbal abilities, and men are better when it comes to spatial orientation or mathematical abilities.
It is important to not discount but to strongly consider the powerful influence cultural 'norms' or perceived 'norms' may have on ones ability. The research examined suggests that both men and women have the capacity to boost their language ability and verbal communication abilities through their 60s (Joseph, 2000) so it might actually be possible for males to 'catch up' with females with regard to language ability. However despite a biological ability to improve one's language ability, it seems that culturally it is more acceptable for males to remain less communicative and to possess less adept verbal communication skills than females do.
Why is all of this worth examining? The issue of sex differences is a controversial one, and for years researchers, theorists and even every day citizens (like us) have been trying to figure out what makes men and women 'tick' and how better communication can be facilitated between the two genders.
Certainly from a relationship perspective the more adept both men and women are with regard to their verbal and language abilities, the more likely a relationship is to flourish and grow over time, and the more likely a couple is to report that they are happy and satisfied. This is certainly the case whether the relationship might be intimately-based or between friends, family members and peers. Much of the conflict that arises in society seems to stem from an inability of two parties to...
Such performances can only be influenced by variables like one's age and his or her backgrounds. According to Diane Halpern, social scientists are inclined to believe that men are more aggressive than women. Most violent crimes on the territory of the U.S. are being committed by men, with women having committed lesser aggression-related felonies. However, this does not necessarily mean that men are generally more aggressive than women. Apparently, men
Communication Differences of Men and Women That women and men communicate very differently is an idea that has attracted the attention of the media since the 1990s. The debate has been so intense and the variations so apparent, that such books as 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus', which postulate that the two genders must have originated from different planets, have become some of the century's bestsellers. It is
Language's Role In Sustaining Inequality Between The Sexes Although it is disputed whether language causes sexism or sexism causes certain language, language does play a part in sexism (Wikipedia). Given that the development of society has gone hand in hand with the development of language, it is unlikely that the causation will ever be determined. However, whether language causes sexism or sexism causes certain language, it is clear that language plays
Such results of studies clearly show a paradox: similarities yet differences between language use by gender. Far from one coming from Mars and the other from Venus, men and women seem to come from different states in the same country. It is obvious that they grew up in different groups, which have subtle style differences. Yet, although subtle, the language differences have judgmental consequences. Observers perceive the female and male
Bergvall, Victoria L., Janet M. Bing, and Alice F. Freed. Rethinking Language and Gender Research: Theory and Practice. New York: Addison Wesley Longman Limited, 1996. Rethinking Language and Gender Research" is a compilation of articles and quantitative studies about the biological and cultural influences that gender differences have over language. Of vital importance is Bergvall and Bing's introductory chapter in the book, an article entitled, "The questions of questions: beyond binary
men and women would better serve society if they opted to shampoo my crotch (in lieu of putting out the drivel that they do). I'm serious. Nothing people say, write, or teach with respect to relationship advice, male-female communication, or the dynamics of socialization (with particular regard to language) is worth a damn. I'm serious. It's worthless. And if Gore Vidal was right when he said the three worst
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