The Impact of Gender and Culture on Interpersonal Communications - Assignment Example

? The Impact of Gender and Culture on Interpersonal Communications PART II The Impact of Gender and Culture on Interpersonal Communications Introduction Communities, societies, and the self have a group or organization to which we identify ourselves (Wood, 2009). The group to which we identify ourselves may be based on our biological being or the society to which we belong. Gender consists of the biological structure to which we define sex. It is on this basis that generalization is done as one being either male or female, though there are some exceptions. This is the first form of identity that humankind assumes. The second identity assumed is based on the environment, surroundings, and society one associates with in their life (Wood, 2009). The social affiliation is usually defined as a cultural segment since the society impacts on our decisions based on norms, values, rules, regulations, and responsibilities. There are different definitions of culture, though it means how we do things. Hence, it may be defines as “a set of traditions, beliefs, values, and norms, or standards of behavior that have been passed down from generation to generation (Sole, 2011). I posit that both culture and gender are essential contributors to how human beings interact and define how to engage in interpersonal communications, with or without the knowledge of the respondents. Body The basic function of culture, which is providing a sense of individuality, affects our thinking and actions (Wood, 2009). This concept provides tools by which we define ourselves on a personal and collective setting. Additionally, the concept influences our decisions towards individuals with whom we form bonds of interaction. Gender also plays the same role as culture, though in a biological form. Both gender and culture work together towards forming prejudices, presuppositions, biases, personal experiences, and security when interacting on an interpersonal level. The norms and values of society and gender are taught from generation to generation, either verbally or via observation. Interpersonal communication, thus, follows preconceptions we have established through the years to which stereotypes are formed regarding certain individuals or groups. By associating our actions, and consequently ourselves to culture, we are what culture makes us. Our culture is not only an aspect we associate with, but also a form to which we establish our being. The concept of culture defines what our actions are since culture instills responsibility in our being. What culture suggests is the responsibility the community assigns us, and we usually act in accordance to suggestions from culture. By being part of a community, every individual is expected to follow specific guidelines, which define the morals and ethics of the community. Culture defines these elements, which act as guides to what is preferable to the community. Culture and society are institutions to each other as they do not exist without the presence of each other, in such that every society has a culture to which it adheres to and identifies it. Interaction is part of human nature, culture and human nature as well as biological and environmental factors contribute to the principles we engage in society. Interaction between different individuals in the society through guidelines based what culture brands us such as being children or adults as well as gender roles contributes to how we interact (West & Turner, 2008). The contributions of culture to how we relate are endless, with definition of concepts such as good and bad being part of culture and society, ensuring that the cultural interaction as a concept is determined by our beliefs and our adherence to definitions of society. Different responsibilities are associated with different personnel in the society, which means that contributions of culture in how we relate cannot be under estimated. It is important to state that different cultures have different values, ideals and concepts by which to relate. Numerous variables come into consideration when relating is done on a social and interpersonal level. Cultural differences between society as well as generation contribute to how individuals relate. Generation age gaps define how personal communication is executed between persons. Since generation also plays a huge part in defining cultural interactions, responsibilities and roles are defined by social conventions. The differences in culture and within culture contribute to how we relate with differences defining what we know and what is expected of different individuals in the community. By defining responsibilities and the position, each individual in the society has with respect to culture, interaction and practice. Cultural ties define responsibilities, expectations and proper conduct, despite the fact that some people do not necessary act within the confines of culture (West & Turner, 2008). In the confines of culture and society responsibilities, roles, values, ethics and virtue are defined, but the individual still has the concept of choice in that every interaction follows personal ideals and concepts on communication. Actions on a personal scale in considering the input of culture are determined by choice on a personal level, though based on culture. Society defines what is responsibility, conduct and expectations among others, but does not dictate the choice made when communication and action is engaged. Personal preconceptions on communication, determine the choice, nature, and principles by which interaction is conducted whether on a personal or social scale. As individual choices has to be made regarding communication, despite the intervention of culture and society. There is a lot that can be contributed by culture, from appearance, conduct and responsibilities (West & Turner, 2008). Upon establishing the cultural derivatives to society, following the ideals follows personal choices, on which the community rates and judges character. Thus, what the society teachers is expected to be practiced, and upon practicing it does the society rate one’s characters as acceptable or appalling. By doing so, interpersonal communication is guided as well as facilitated by culture, especially in the confines of community. Generation differences in contributing to interpersonal communication can be influenced by numerous changes in society. Technology is one of the influential inventions of society that has affected communication in a number of ways. Communication with technology has altered conceptions regarding communication as associated with culture. Through the provision of technology geared towards communication, various concepts of communication have changed the concept of cultural based interpersonal communication. Technology in communication has overridden the constructs of culture, though they still affect our preconceptions regarding our correspondents. However, various inputs by technology such as the internet and telephone have continuously altered communication on a personal level. The context of communication, however, remains affected by culture and its derivatives in society (West & Turner, 2008), even though technology may have altered how the concept of communication is executed. Culture’s influence on interpersonal communication is normally seen in the context of communications over the methodology used. Interpersonal communication still has constructs and values that guide correspondents. Various concepts such as respect for the elders and differences in age affect the choices made in interpersonal communication since there is an acceptable form by which communication has to be done; else, repercussions that may mean communication breakdown are expected. By maintaining the community communication constructs, despite contributions of technology and other inter cultural and communication contributors may affect preferred channels, but society expects members to continue observing cultural constructs, despite it being dynamic (West & Turner, 2008). Culture is an acquired concept to human interaction, as opposed to sex, which is biological. Culture, thus, plays the role of providing rules, regulations, practices, responsibilities, values, and expectations of every member of the society; this is its normative function (Hartley, 1999). The normative concept of culture and gender affect interpersonal communication since there are guidelines to follow in interaction. Different societies have different guidelines, which often affect communication. The guidelines may affect interpersonal communication by defining whom to interact with, what to cover in the conversation, and what is inappropriate in communication (West & Turner, 2008). An example that is common to a number of societies is conversations regarding womanhood, which should be addressed to women and girls alike. Such constructs of culture and gender affect our interpersonal communication. This is because they become an obstacle addressing issues that one is supposed to present to a particular group of individuals with anyone else except those culture recommends. Gender roles, as defined by culture, are another element that influences interpersonal communication. The society defines certain practices and responsibilities as either feminine or masculine. This context of gender roles is a derivation of culture, which has recommendations on what is to be considered appropriate action based on which sex one identifies with. This is despite the ongoing globalization and cultural degradation. By defining the roles and responsibilities of both sexes, culture affects how the society interacts, which affects communication (Hartley, 1999). By grouping the male or female counterparts together in their responsibilities, strong bonds are formed within the sexes as opposed to with opposite sexes. Such a situation is common with men or women feeling free and easy around the same sex as opposed to in the presence of the opposite sex. Culture also affects interpersonal communication in the context of high and low context cultural norms. The high context cultures are defined as cultural communication techniques in which nonverbal communication techniques are prioritized over the spoken word. On the converse, low context cultures are cultures that prioritize word to nonverbal communication (Sole, 2011). This diversity in culture contexts creates a rift between cultures, which means favorable communication is based on high to high context cultures as opposed to high to low context cultures the reverse is also true. Interpersonal communication between differing cultures has a number of obstacles that may hinder comprehension and facilitate misunderstandings. Individualism and collectivism trends of culture are factors that influence interpersonal communication. Individualism, in the society, is based on encouraging a strong sense of self-identity, which gives the society an extremely diverse front in communication as individuals do not necessary stick to the cultural propositions (West & Turner, 2008). Collectivism, on the other hand, supports adherence to group identity, which supports the establishment of a collective approach to issues such as communication thereby easing interpersonal and intercultural communication (West & Turner, 2008). With individualistic culture, one may need to strive to comprehend the message being conveyed from a lack of uniformity. Conclusion Culture and gender impact on communication within and outside the cultural groupings. The above-mentioned functions and characteristics of culture affect the choice of communication techniques, approaches, context, structuring, and preferences, which are notable in interpersonal communication. These elements, thus, support my thesis of both culture and gender are essential contributors to how human beings interact and define how to engage in interpersonal communications, with or without the knowledge of the respondents. References Hartley, P. (1999). Interpersonal communication (2nd Ed.). New York: Routledge. Sole, K. (2011). Making Connections: Understanding Interpersonal Communication. California: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. West, R., & Turner, L. H. (2008). Understanding interpersonal communication: Making choices in changing times (2nd Ed.). Massachusetts: Cengage Learning. Wood, J. T. (2009). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters (6th Ed.). Massachusetts: Cengage Learning. Read More