Overview
Gender is a social status. Conversation is a ritual, meaning it has a symbolic meaning. A role is society's expectations for how we should behave. This week, you will explore some interconnections between gender as a social status and roles in conversation.
As a way of doing so, you will read Deborah Tannen's study on gender roles and communication (pdf). gender roles and communication (pdf). - Alternative Formats "You Just Don't Understand: Men and Women in Conversation." This article was written in 1990 and reflects a binary understanding of gender; in treating the topic of how gender roles might influence participation in conversation, it discusses gender in only two forms (i.e. man/woman). It’s important to note that this binary concept of gender is not inclusive of many gender identities that exist, and that society’s understanding of gender and gender roles continues to evolve. You are highly encouraged as you read this article to consider what, if any, of Tannen’s ideas are still relevant now, and why.
These points about gender may be true, so having said that, let’s consider Tannen’s points and possible faults at the same time. In this discussion assignment answer all of the following in your post:
- According to Tannen, what are the different ways of "speaking" that women and men assume and why?
- How are gender roles played out in conversation rituals between men and women in the article? (Who, for instance, talks more and in what kinds of situations?)
- From your own personal observations, what have you noticed between the ways that men and women communicate and do they back up or refute what Tannen says? (please be specific)
- How might Tannen be limited in her framework today given what we know about 'gender' (binary vs non-binary)?
- What other ways do social statuses affect how we behave in public or private (please be specific and cite examples in various environments such as home, work, etc.,)?
- Everything is in APA 7th Edition