The authors then propose that an individual’s gender is influenced in two ways. Firstly, through societal expectations of gender and secondly through children’s sex-segregated play (Wood & Reich, 2003; Dow & Wood, 2006). Societal expectations of gender are instructions on what it means to be male or female. These are directions received implicitly or explicitly from birth onwards by groups such as parents, peers, society and media (Wood & Reich, 2003; Johnson, 2000). Wood and Reich (2003) argue that these constructs are so pervasive that most males will become predominately masculine gendered and women predominately feminine gendered (Dow & Wood, 2006).
This line of thought is supported by Holliday et al., (2004) who explain that these are representations or “ways in which the world is presented to us” (pp. 196). It is typically organised by groups …show more content…
That women become feminine communicators and men masculine communicators is thus continuously reinforced and becomes an indubitable fact that we rarely question (Wood & Reich, 2003).
After providing a number of scenarios that demonstrate how limiting using one form of gendered speech can be rather than selected gendered speech based on the context or situation, Wood and Reich (2003) finally conclude their article by demonstrating how individuals can more effectively communicate with each other by outlining six core principles.
1. Suspend judgement and explore misunderstandings.
2. Recognise the validity of different communication styles.
3. Provide translation cues that help others to understand the communication.
4. Seek translation cues that help improve understanding the communication.
5. Learn and expand on communication styles.
6. Suspend judgement.
As judgement is so heavily interwoven into western culture, the authors specifically mention it twice to reiterate its importance.
This line of thought is supported by Holliday et al., (2004) who explain that these are representations or “ways in which the world is presented to us” (pp. 196). It is typically organised by groups …show more content…
That women become feminine communicators and men masculine communicators is thus continuously reinforced and becomes an indubitable fact that we rarely question (Wood & Reich, 2003).
After providing a number of scenarios that demonstrate how limiting using one form of gendered speech can be rather than selected gendered speech based on the context or situation, Wood and Reich (2003) finally conclude their article by demonstrating how individuals can more effectively communicate with each other by outlining six core principles.
1. Suspend judgement and explore misunderstandings.
2. Recognise the validity of different communication styles.
3. Provide translation cues that help others to understand the communication.
4. Seek translation cues that help improve understanding the communication.
5. Learn and expand on communication styles.
6. Suspend judgement.
As judgement is so heavily interwoven into western culture, the authors specifically mention it twice to reiterate its importance.