Gender Differences in Communication Styles

Male or female, we all have the same basic human need to be understood by others, to communicate. One trait that can greatly influence the way we communicate is our gender. We may not agree with every theory of differences between male and female communication, but we do notice some differences in the genders when it is time to talk. Whether the communication is online or in person, there is a clear discrepancy between the genders. When it comes to public speeches and academic institutions, private discussions, and online talk we can clearly see the difference between how men and women talk and interact with other people. Janet Holmes noted in her article “Women Talk too Much”, “Public talk is often undertaken by people who wish to claim or

When men send instant messages, their messages are blunt and short. This is contrary to Nathan Cobb’s “Gender Wars in Cyberspace!” which declares, “women who go online tend to send fewer messages per capita than do men and that their messages are shorter.” Female’s messages are longer and include more detail because they want to make sure the reader understands and feels what she is feeling. When it comes to showing emotions, men are “prone to firing off missives that are intended as insults or provocations” (Nathan Cobb’s “Gender Wars in Cyberspace!”). Especially on Facebook or Twitter, men can be seen typing abusive language and insulting random people in the comments if someone does not have the same views as they do. This results in an online argument that involves confrontation, high testosterone, and bickering, which appeals to men. However, men sometimes insult others jokingly. It is an absurd way of communicating, but it creates a closer bond among men. Women are not as rude as men are; in fact, they are soft spoken, gentle, and well mannered, usually commenting “cute”, “lovely”, or “beautiful”. The different characteristics in male and female conversation are profound in adults, but they are also noticeable in