Overcoming Gender Differences

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Overcoming Gender Differences

Men and women come from different worlds. Let's face it, they simply can not communicate. Take the following story for example:

Tom and Mary were going to a party. Tom was driving and after about twenty minutes and going around the same block many times, it was clear to Mary that Tom was lost. She suggested that he call for help. Tom became silent. They eventually arrived at the party, but the tension form the moment lasted the entire evening. Mary had no idea why Tom was so upset. Mary, on one hand thought that she was offering Tom help. Tom, on the other hand "heard" that he was incompetent and couldn't get them there, (Gray, 20).

In most instances, men and women interpret each other wrongly as well as attempt to make amends in the same mistaken manner. Communication has become the source of our problems. Men expect women to think and react the way men do. Women expect men to feel and communicate the way that women do. Both are mistaken. If we could understand each other better, many conflicts could be prevented. But more importantly, if we could only understand each other better, when conflicts do arise, we could overcome them a lot quicker and easier. Men and women have different values. Men and women cope with stress differently, and are motivated differently. Men and women speak different languages and commonly misunderstand each other. Finally men and women keep score differently and have different needs for support. Painful arguments, regardless can be avoided. Understanding these differences are crucial in day to day situations, but they become even more crucial when dealing in situations when conflicts must be resolved. "If we recognize and understand the difference...

... middle of paper ...

...portant role due to the fact that negotiations are based solely on the need for good communication. With good communication along with empathy, and a little luck the connections we make and the negotiations we encounter will be successful ones.

Bibliography:

Author Unknown. "The Economic and Societal Context" (article from Professor Umana in section)

Birkoff, Juliana. "Gender, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution," 5-28-2000,

*http://conflict-resolution.net/articles/birkoff.cfmplain=t*

Edelman. "Divorce: From Pain to Peace" Reader

Gray, John, Ph.D. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. Harper Collins: New York, 1992.

Tannen, Deborah. You Just Don't Understand. Balentine Books: New York, 1991.

Ury, William. Getting to Yes. Penguin Books: New York, 1991.

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