It seems like in all of my classes recently we have been discussing gender issues. I have to be honest here and tell you all that I’m a bit burnt out about talking about the subject, but that lead me to write this post. Is it truly necessary to put so much weight on gender issues? Research has shown that there actually are not many communicative differences between men and women, so why devote an entire class to talking about it? I know that certain issues obviously hold a lot of importance, such as gendered violence and men and women’s movements. But on the other hand, by talking about boys and girls relationships with their parents or their relationships with same sexed friends, are we enabling society to keep these gendered roles around? I understand the entire argument that as a communication studies major one of the most important abilities we develop are critical thinking skills, but is it enough to just address these issues and discuss them? For me I guess I’m just so sick of talking about these issues but not actually being able to do anything to change them. Does anyone else feel this way?
My question then is: By participating in this class are we only perpetuating gender stereotypes? Or are we really breaking down walls here by being more aware of these gender differences?
8 comments:
I guess for me I have become more aware of the language and terminology I use. I've made a constant effort to discontinue the use and acceptance of certain ugly words. I've also tried to make my friends aware of the harm that using certain words causes. For me, it really did take a class like this to step away and examine my behaviors and my own stereotypes, and put them in check.
Wow...You make a great point. I suppose that some of our discussions in our different Communication classes actualy inhibit these stereotypes, especially when they are just brought up discussions. I want to agree with you because your radical idea really doesn't seem that off at all. As we talk more and more about gendered issues it seems as though the stereotypes become more polarized. However, in reference to our class I don't think this is true. I think most of the issues in our book are unbiased, important, factualy issues. What we are learning in our Gender class is important because it is descriptive rather than prescriptive and is relevant information for both genders. For example, it is important for everyone to learn about first, second, and third wave feminism because they are historical landmarks in our society. It is important for everyone to learn about different men's movements because they are current and past events in our society. Gender violence is extremely important because it is a current and historical occurrence and is extremely prevalent in our society. These issues are more factual than stereotyped. If our text discussed "10 things you should do to make him like you" then it would be stereotyped and irrelevant.
Good point...and great critical thinking skills! haha.
I agree; why do we just talk about these issues? Why isn't there a plan of action? As much as this class focuses on the issues of gender, I think they should also implement a plan of action, on what we can do to take an active part on changing gender stereotypes. It's one thing to sit and talk about the problems in the world today, and wish they were different. I believe, if our generation is to make the world a better place, we have to start now, with little steps. I agree with jellyphish; I have been way more aware of my language and how I address a group of people. I now use "Hey everyone!" instead of "Hey guys!"
This could be considered baby steps towards change. How else can we take part in change?
I think awareness is the key here. I agree that sometimes things almost become redundant, but I have noticed the gendered nature of communication in other courses and in everyday interactions. I don't know that being in the class will necessarily change much for me, but I feel like simply being exposed to the issues at hand allows us all to think more critically, which I believe is the goal more than anything. We aren't going to go out as a class and change the gender stereotyping and discrimination in the world, but we can be aware of it and conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner.
I think that this class is useful and important. I believe that it opens some peoples' eyes to the ways that people treat each other based on their gender. If more awareness is the only thing that comes from this class than it has been successful, but I think that there is much more to it than that and that everyones' awareness is just a step in the right direction. If it changes our own behavior then that's a good thing, if it helps us change someone else's behavior (negative) then that's a geat thing. If it makes us aware of the stereotypes and generalizations along with the gendered language we use without thinking so that we change that behavior then again the class has been successful.
I think this class is both useful and important too. I think that I have become much more aware of the language I use and have tried to eliminate gendered speech. For example, at work I don’t address a man and a woman as “guys” I use “you both”. I have taken a very conscious look at the words I use and the meaning behind them. I think this class has helped me realize that society is extremely gendered in views and language. I look at articles in the newspaper and notice gendered language every day now. I watch tv and see our reinforcement of traditional gender roles and laugh at how pathetic it is. I think this class has helped me to understand stereotypes a little more. Now that I am more aware of how subtle the media can feed me these stereotypes I have been much more critical of what I observe.
Education is key to the development of the human race. However using our knowledge we have obtained during our educational career (high school & college) is a very slow process.
For example, we all learned how to add and subtract early in our educational careers, however much of that math didn't have real world application until we obtained our own checkbooks and needed to balance them.
Someone, someday from this class is going to be a CEO, manager, or own their own business. They are going to be in charge of setting the policies and regulations within that setting. When they are forming their policies and remember to include friendly rules about gender, sexual orientation, and family leave, is when you will see the investment of this class start to pay dividends.
This class is extremely relevant and is going to help many people over the course of our working careers. We just need to be patient in order to fully appreciate the scope of this class.
What's the question again? Just kidding. I wasn't sure what to expect from this course; I just knew I had to take it...like everyone else here I am sure. Over-all it has been an interesting course and I think it does merit importance to fulfill this college's attempt at a well-rounded education. It's nice to see there is actual research out there that de-mystifies some of the gender issues that are out there. This course also informs and prepares us what to expect in the real world (corporate America) if we haven't already experienced it. Yes there are some redundancies and certain topics get highlighted more which possibly leads to reinforcing of stereotypes and/or frustration. I think that can be said about a lot of other courses though. That's sort of the point of learning - pounding into our heads (being redundant) until we learn it. My only real personal problem with communication courses (like communication itself) is that many questions can have multiple answers and can be gendered. A perfect example of this are the exams in this course. To some degree there can be specific black and white answers, but many times there can be alternative (and valid) interpretations. Also, wording on these exams can be more objective then other courses. Yet, I find myself responding/answering in a subjective way. That is, I tend to answer based on how I think the writer of the exam is intending the question - not answering with what I believe the "right" answer is. But simply, do I feel this class is important and should it be treated as important - yes I do.
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