The Differences in Communication Between Genders - Essay Example

The Differences in Communication between Genders Through the of human history, one of the most significant issues in the society is the interaction between the genders. The said interaction can cause optimum relationship that can last or can bring about conflicts on the basis of a multitude of factors surrounding the segregation of the different genders. The study undertaken is focused on the concepts and notions that are presented in the book You Just Don’t Understand produced by one of the most significant authors that focus on the relationship between different groups and social classifications. Based on the author’s view, genders are from different worlds thus the difficulty in communication can be considered inevitable. The book is the presentation of the differences between the men and the women. The two genders are perceived to be from different worlds due to the fact that they differ in their words or specifically the manner of communicating. The published work pointed out that the main difference between the two genders can be generalized by the women’s manner of communication and conversation which can be considered as emotional while the men are mainly based on the dissemination of facts, data and knowledge (Tannen 24). The main objective of the study is to be able to explore and analyze the different concepts that are presented in the book by Tannen. Analysis of the presented notions is undertaken through the points that are related to the language, culture and communication components. Based on the study undertaken there are different points that are presented by the author that can be considered significant in the understanding of the interaction between genders. One of the concepts that had been presented in the book is the manner and the reason for talking or having a conversation. As the main thought, conversations are used by women to connect with other people. Thus, it can be considered as the primary tool for established relationships and interacting with the society and surroundings. For that matter, the use of words by the woman can be considered as rapport or intimate interaction that commonly involves knowing the other party personally (Tannen 76-77). On the other hand, men present themselves in conversations in a manner similar to public speaking and reporting. In the said manner of communicating, there are different observations that can be associated. One is the lack of intimacy and personal connection. Although the audience can relate and react actively to the manner of communication, the said type of conversation can considered to have less expectation of having a deep understanding in both the personal and the social manner. As a result, men tend to tackle issues in their personal life through the report-talk manner (Tannen 77). The need for emotional connection in women and the need for logical presentation in men can be considered very different both in terms of the objectives and the manner of communicating. This is the main root of conflicts. Although this is the case, it is important to recognize the fact that although the genders have different manners of presenting themselves, talking and communicating are still fundamental for establishing and maintaining relationships. In the study conducted regarding the different factors affecting the community, one of the main conclusions is that language is significantly associated and related to gender issues. For that matter, in the study of the differences in the behavior and manner of interaction between the genders, it is important to consider the language factors and components (Eckret and McConnell-Ginet 461). In the presented notion then, it can be accepted on a personal note that the concept and view that had been presented by the author represents the scenarios in the society. Conversation is not the only way of communicating with other people. There are other ways that can commonly be classified as actions. The said notion is another basis of the differences between the genders. On the basis of the view of the woman population, conversations and talks are important in the establishment and the maintenance of a harmonious relationship. On the other hand, men are more inclined to give importance to the things and components of a relationship that can catch their attention and retain in their memory. These are the activities that are done with the people around them (Tannen 85). One of the observations presented in the book is that women commonly prioritize the relationship with other people more than their own logical and personal objectives (Tannen 179). The said observation can be true since women are more in the analytic and critical views in addition to the fact that they are more emotional. For that matter, women tend to use all the manners of communicating to be able to connect with other people and establish relationship. In this manner, it can even be generalized that women need to communicate and emotional connect to be able to understand the manner by which different processes in the surroundings and in the society work. For guys, the manner of conversing can be important but they tend to express and establish relationship through actions. Examples of this method are through the activities that are done with them such as sports and recreation. This can be considered as the main reason for the perceived lack of priority with having a connection through conversations (Tannen 85). The concepts that are presented are both important and acceptable. Although it is important not to segregate the genders strictly since women also use actions to connect and men also converse and connect verbally in certain cases and scenarios. The view presented by the author in terms of the manner by which the genders handle complexities in life can be considered as one of the most interesting in the published work. This can be attributed to the fact that it had captured the essence of the difference between women and men. Based on the said view, the main difference between the genders lies in the capability to handle complexities in life. For men, they can be perceived as organized and can manage different types of activities on schedule. Thus, men are perceived to have the capability to follow complex rules in different fields. For women on the other hand are more capable in terms of intricate connections and interactions, thus they are more into communicating and maintaining different types of relationships (Tannen 181). The men are into evident and unambiguous rules in life while women can analyze the underlying issues that are commonly contained and unspoken. This is true and very evident in the daily interaction between individuals, specifically in different types of relationships (Kenny 82). Upon the presentation of the different areas wherein men and women can have opposing ideas, the author presented concepts that can bring about an understanding to the inevitability of possible conflicts between the genders. Based on the author, the origin of the difference between the genders is a challenge to define since even young children can observe and perceive the said variation. At a young age, females can behave differently from males in almost every aspects of the daily activity such as the clothes worn, the games played and the types of activities being enjoyed (Tannen 257). Aside from the said notion, the quest for the answer to such difference in the behavior and personality of the different genders had remained unattainable since the establishment and consciousness of such issue. The said view is true, thus, the studies are focused to establish parameters to at least lessen the conflicts that can be brought about by such differences. Such view is required since the gender difference can be considered more influential that other parameters of variation such as age (Tannen 257). Aside from the fact that the men and the women are naturally and physiologically different, the different components of the society such as norms, cultures and traditions through the course of history had intensified such disparity. One is in relation to the difference in the status of the male and the female during the early part of human history. The said view even has continuing influence in selected countries. Most nations in history treated women as men’s subordinate which can be observed in the prohibition of women leaders in different fields such as politics, academics and even arts (Speer 30, 60). Aside from the historical evidences, the national geographical boundaries had also set another parameter that constitute for the differences in the views of the sexes. The said differences had been intensified by ethnic and cultural differences, traditions, norms and even social laws and obligations (Tannen 207). Based on the study undertaken regarding Tannen’s views as presented in the book You Just Don’t Understand, the concepts are significant in the process of understanding the differences between the genders. The points presented can optimize the relationships and interactions of men and women in the society. One of the most significant generalizations presented is the fact that women are leaning on the emotional aspect of conversing while men are on the logical and factual aspect. On a personal note, nothing is negative in the said characteristics of the genders, because men and women are not meant to be the same but they can be considered as complementary. Tannen then targets the appreciation of the differences between men and women to be able to learn to give both the genders the chance to be heard and understood. Being understood can be equated to the reduction of conflict and the establishment of harmonious relationships. The concepts and notions that are presented in the book then by Tannen then can be considered as important basis in the study of communication and interaction between the two genders. The differences in communication between men and women can be maximized to compensate for the shortcomings of each gender. The concepts contributed by the author had increased the knowledge of the human society regarding the issue on the difference of the communication style between the genders. Works Cited: Eckret, Penelope and Sally McConnell-Ginet. “Think Practically and Look Locally: Language and Gender as Community-Based Practice.” Annu. Rev. Anthropol. 21 (1992): 461-90. Kenny, David A. Interpersonal Perception: A Social Relations Analysis. Guilford Press, 1994. Speer, Susan A. Gender Talk: Feminism, Discourse and Conversation Analysis. Routledge, 2005. Tannen, Deborah. You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. New York: Ballantine Books, 1990. Read More