Men and women have struggled with understanding each other since the beginning of time but is gender communication more complicated than the use of words? Although people generally don’t try to make communication difficult, it’s very easy to misinterpret a person’s words or actions, especially during highly emotional times.
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
What Makes Communication Complicated?
It’s common to assume that the other person is on the same page while having a conversation. Unfortunately, it’s also very common for men and women to have two completely different conversations simultaneously because they haven’t realized that the other misunderstood. Communicating, in general, is a very complex process because all involved members must interpret the words, actions, and tones of the speaker and respond with the assumption that what they’d just percieved is what truly occurred.
They must also use those assumptions to formulate responses. If the initial perception of what the speaker said was somehow misinterpreted, then the response will be misguided and possibly misunderstood by whoever is listening. This confusion can result in an argument or the spread of false information. When the participants have different genders, it automatically adds a new level of complexity to the art of communication.
How Gender Influences Communication
Psychology Today refers to men and women as subcultures within the larger culture of humanity and each of these subcultures have their own set of social cues and expected behavior. When one gender communicates with another, those cues change and produce different responses. What may be seen as a compliment to a woman may be seen as offensive to a man and vice versa.
Although gender is often confused with sex, they are not the same thing. A person’s sex is determined by their anatomy at birth but it is possible to change it later in life. A person’s gender is more of a social construct and is determined by their communication and behavior. Men and women are treated differently because they are often divided at a very young age and told what is or isn’t appropriate. It’s common for parents to teach their children to behave in a more masculine or feminine way that may carry on into adulthood. This can include the way they speak, the way they play with others, and what toys their guardians deem acceptable for them to play with.
Use Gender Communication Knowledge
Understand that not all males exhibit masculinity and not all females exhibit femininity. Being aware that people perceive things differently can help to make sense of why people do or say the things that they do. It’s important to know that there is always a possibility that feelings, actions, and words can be misinterpreted. Avoid making any assumptions about a person because they may lead to further miscommunication.
Some people naturally fit into society’s idea of men being masculine and women being feminine but it’s important to remember that everyone’s perception of gender is different and it won’t always match society’s correlation to a person’s sex. Times are changing and some people don’t feel the need to place themselves in a category. It’s important to listen actively, make no assumptions, and always ask for clarification to help eliminate the boundaries that may come with gender communication.