genderlect.htm

Traci Paxton's Application of Genderlect

Deborah Tannen claims in her book, You Just Don't Understand "male-female conversation is cross-cultural communication." Men and women tend to communicate quite differently. It may at times even seem as though men and women are speaking two entirely different languages. It is important to see the styles of communication men and women use as different, not as one being inferior or superior (A First Look at Communication, 448).

The popular television show "Friends" is a great show to watch to view genderlect in action. During one particular episode, Rachel is suffering from an eye infection. Being the great friend she is, Monica insists she see her eye doctor. From the time they are about to leave the apartment, Rachel is obviously quite nervous.

Upon arrival, Rachel refuses to open her eye because she has great fear of being touched there. After three attempts to test her for glaucoma, he becomes irritated and loses his patience. He hands her a prescription and sends her out the door. This adds to Deborah Tannen's theory that men and women communicate in situations very differently. Many male doctors do not have the patience their female patients desire.

The male doctor did not try to verbally communicate with Rachel to better the situation. He may have felt it is no big deal...people have glaucoma tests everyday. Doctor play an important role in the day to day lives of their patients. Therefore, it is important for them to be aware of Deborah Tannen's idea of genderlect. Since Tannen states males are primarily concerned with status, it may be difficult for male physicians to become more sensitive. They are not as concerned with seeking human connection like women are.

An interesting article online to add to the application of genderlect is, "Communicating with Patients of the Opposite Sex". According to the article, "doctor/patient communication is unquestionably modified by gender." The article is certain to mention that the anecdotes they write about do not suggest that all male or female doctors speak to their patients in these ways.

During conversations, males tend to interrupt females more during a visit. This may be seen as a need for control or dominance. The article suggests a male doctor interrupting a female patient may see the interaction as a "contest". Another example of genderlect is the way patients view the willingness of doctors to fully explain what they think or feel about their condition. Many female patients have noticed that in the middle of a conversation about their condition, a male doctor may change the direction or topic. The article goes on to list other examples of genderlect, but I found one that I feel stands out. Many male doctors act as if their female patients are not capable of grasping technical explanations as well as male patients. Finally, the way a male doctors addresses his female patients is important. A male doctor would not address a male patient as "honey" or "dear", bit may so a female. Think about your trips to a physician....did you experience genderlect? Chances are you may have!

For more information on genderlect, visit our group home page, Genderlect

To read the article on Communication between patients and doctors click here, Communication

Because they stress one group having an advantage over another, genderlect and cultural studies have a commonaltiy. In genderlect Tannen stresses the inequality of men and women. In Cultural studies, Stuart stresses the way the media tends to promote the interest of a dominant group. Click here to read more Cultural Studies

This page was last revised by Traci Paxton (http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~tp747796/genderlect.htm) on November 17, 1999.

Sources

Griffin, Em. A First Look at Communication Theory. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1997.

DC Archives. Online. http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/12/09/02.html