The Study of Communication, Gender & Culture Chapter 1.
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Transcript of The Study of Communication, Gender & Culture Chapter 1.
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