The Study of The Study of Communication, Communication, Gender & CultureGender & Culture

Chapter 1

Research on Gender, Research on Gender, Comm., & CultureComm., & CultureClasses widespread only last 20 yearsFirst handbook of research on gender

and communication – 2006◦Learn more at:

http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdRelatedProducts.nav?prodId=Book226595&currTree=Subjects&level1=K00&level2=K60

Research on Gender, Research on Gender, Comm., & CultureComm., & CultureResearch on gender from range

of fields

◦Communication◦Anthropology◦History

◦Philosophy◦Psychology◦Sociology

Studying Studying Communication, Communication, Gender, & CultureGender, & Culture

Learning about communication, gender, and culture:◦Enhances appreciation of ways culture influences views

Research on Gender, Research on Gender, Comm., & CultureComm., & CultureQuantitative research methods

◦Data that can be quantified and analyzed Descriptive statistics Surveys Experiments

Research on Gender, Research on Gender, Comm., & CultureComm., & CultureQualitative research methods/

interpretive methods◦Understand nature of meaning or experiences Textual analysis Ethnography

Research on Gender, Research on Gender, Comm., & CultureComm., & CultureCritical research methods

◦Identify and challenge inequities and problems

Learn About Comm., Learn About Comm., Gender, & CultureGender, & CultureLearning about communication,

gender, and culture:◦Enhances appreciation of cultural complexities

◦Enhances insight to your own gender

Learn About Comm., Learn About Comm., Gender, & CultureGender, & CultureLearning about communication,

gender, and culture:◦Strengthens effectiveness as communicator

Gender in a Gender in a Transitional EraTransitional EraProbably don’t prescribe to

grandparents’ idealsLikely are confused about gender

issues

Gender in a Gender in a Transitional EraTransitional EraOn one level

◦Think women and men equalOn another level

◦May hold traditional valuesLive in a transitional era

Differences between Differences between Women & MenWomen & MenDifficult to find language to

discuss patterns of communication◦Women and men troublesome Imply all can be grouped together

Differences between Differences between Women & MenWomen & MenEssentializing

◦Tendency to reduce to characteristics assume are essential in every member of category

◦Presume all members of sex alike

Differences between Differences between Women & MenWomen & Men

Essentializing◦Obscures range of individual characteristics

◦Book’s generalizations do not imply essentializing

Gender, Culture, & Gender, Culture, & CommunicationCommunicationSex, gender, sexual orientation,

culture, communication interlinked◦Cannot study one without understanding others

SexSexSex = designation based on

biologyGender = socially constructed

and expressed◦Sex and gender usually go together

◦Can be inconsistent

SexSexMale or female based on external

genitalia and internal sex organsGenitalia and sex markers

determined by chromosomes

SexSexY chromosome determines how

fetus develops◦Females usually have XX◦Males usually have XY

SexSexOccasional variation

◦XO◦XXX, XXY, XYY◦XY and XX

SexSexAll have cells with at least one X

◦Males typically have one X More vulnerable to X-linked recessive conditions

SexSexSome born with biological

characteristics of each sex◦Traditionally called hermaphrodites

◦Today intersexed preferred Learn more at: http://www.itpeople.org/

SexSexHormones influence development

◦Fetuses with Y bathed in androgens Development of male sex organs

◦Fetuses without Y - fewer androgens Development of female sex organs

SexSexFemale fetus may be exposed to

excessive progesterone◦May not develop female genitalia

Male fetus may be deprived of progesterone◦Male genitalia may not develop

SexSexInfluence of hormones continues

throughout lifetime◦Males more sensitive to hormonal activity

Biology influences how develop but doesn’t determine behavior or personality

GenderGenderGender

◦Neither innate nor necessarily stable

◦Defined by society◦Expressed by individuals as they interact with others and media

GenderGenderGender changes over timeBorn male or female (sex)Learn to act masculine and/or

feminine (gender)

GenderGenderGender identity:

◦Person’s own identification as male or female

GenderGenderGender depends on society’s

values, ◦In America Masculine = strong, successful, rational, emotionally controlled

Feminine = attractive, nurturing, deferential, expressive

GenderGenderFrom infancy, encouraged to

learn how to embody gender that society prescribes

GenderGenderGender grows out of cultural

ideas that stipulate social meaning and expectations

Society’s views permeate public and private life◦See as normal, natural, right

GenderGenderNot passive recipients Make choices to accept, modify,

or reject ◦Views challenged by people who define themselves as trans or gender queer

GenderGenderMeanings of gender also changed

by:◦Personal communication◦Role models◦Interactions with friends

Reciprocal relationship between communication and cultural views

GenderGenderUphold or remake meanings of

masculinity or femininity◦1970s – androgyny coined Androgynous individuals embody qualities considered both feminine and masculine

GenderGenderMeanings of gender can vary

across cultures:◦New Guinea – three genders◦Arapesh – all feminine◦Mundugumor – all aggressive◦Tchambuli – gender reversal

GenderGenderBody ideals for women socially

constructed◦Current Western culture values thinness

GenderGender• 1950s – fuller-figures preferred• See photos of Marilyn Monroe at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe

• Some cultures regard heavier women as beautiful

GenderGenderSome cultures view person’s

gender as changeableSome Native American groups –

more than two genders◦These individuals esteemed

GenderGenderIn U.S., gender varies across

racial-ethnic groups◦African American women more assertive

◦African American men more communal

GenderGenderSocial meaning of gender varies

over time◦Prior to Industrial Revolution – family and work intertwined

◦Industrial Revolution – division into spheres of work and home Femininity and masculinity redefined

GenderGenderMeaning changes over time

◦Social context changes and affects sense of identity

Relational concept◦Femininity and masculinity make sense in relation As meanings of one changes – so do meanings of other

Beyond Sex & GenderBeyond Sex & Gender

Can also define self in terms of:◦Sexual orientation◦Transgendered◦Transsexual

Society assumes connections between these categories

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderSexual orientation

◦Preference for romantic and sexual partners Heterosexual Gay Lesbian Bisexual

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderOther cultures’ views of sexual

orientation challenge U.S. views◦Sambia in Melanesia◦Ancient Greece◦Victorian society

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderChanging views of gender and

sex◦Intersexed individuals Biological characteristics of male and female

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGender

◦Transgendered individuals Biological sex

inconsistent with identity

Often dress and adopt behaviors of gender with which identify

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderSee the trailer from the movie

Boys Don’t Cry (R-rated):◦http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOarssJWHhI

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderTranssexual individuals

◦Surgery and/or hormonal treatments Posttransition males to females Posttransition females to males

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderMTF – Deidre McCloskeyFTM – Thomas Beatie

◦Gave birth to a child

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderCross-dressers/transvestites

◦Enjoy wearing clothing of other sex

◦Varying motivations◦Majority biological, heterosexual males, attracted to women

Beyond Sex & Beyond Sex & GenderGenderTransgendered, transsexed, and

intersexed people challenge dualities

CultureCultureCulture = structures, institutions,

practices that reflect and uphold social order

Upheld by defining certain groups, values, expectations, as good

CultureCultureSurrounded by communication

that announces social views of gender◦Women give up name in marriage

◦Judicial systemWestern culture is patriarchal

CultureCultureMessages that reinforce culture

views pervade lives◦Seldom pause to reflect◦Take for granted◦Don’t question

Learning to reflect empowers◦Increases freedom to choose

CommunicationCommunicationCommunication is dynamic

◦Continually changes, evolvesProcess

◦No beginnings or endings

Communication is Communication is SystemicSystemicMore than context affects

meaningAll aspects of communication are

interlinkedInfluenced by how we feelTime of day, etc. may influence

Communication is Communication is SystemicSystemicLargest system affecting

communication is cultureSocieties’ views of men and

women change over timeSystems interact – each part

affects all others

Communication is Communication is SystemicSystemicCommunication has two levels:

◦Content level of meaning Literal meaning

◦Relationship level of meaning Tell how to interpret content and how communicators see themselves in relationship

Meanings Created Meanings Created through Interaction through Interaction with Symbolswith SymbolsHumans symbol-using creaturesHave to think to figure out what

symbol meansSymbols can be ambiguousMore than one meaning

Meanings Created Meanings Created through Interaction through Interaction with Symbolswith SymbolsSignificance of communication

not in words themselvesCommunicating increases

meanings

Meanings Created Meanings Created through Interaction through Interaction with Symbolswith SymbolsVerbal and nonverbal behaviors

not neutralMeaning arises from interpretation

Meanings Created Meanings Created through Interaction through Interaction with Symbolswith SymbolsDifferences in interpretation are

sources of misunderstandingCan become more effective:

◦Ask for clarification◦Check to see how others are interpreting us