There are many theories to explain the existence of gender division in employment. Underpinning explanation of gender segregation in the labor market are issues concerning male power and gender assumptions of the division of labor (Bagilhole, 1994; Crompton, 1999). Gender segregation in employment is of concern for two measures quite aside from the facts of quality of opportunity: segregation into different areas of work remains a key issue that contributes to the gender in earnings (Forth, 2002). Later, the studies focus on the issue of masculinity which has been a re-occurrent topic in most debates. Masculinity is a subjective term, and in most cases it is influenced by one's perception and culture (Cullins, V.2012).
As the way of walking or speaking diverges in male and female, the expression and experience of emotions in different genders also diverges. Moreover, this divergence leads to a hegemonic male chauvinist discourse that classifies man as “unemotional” and woman as “emotional” which has significant effects on social life of both genders . Conceptions of male and female emotions are derived from a deeply influential binary opposition that women tend to be emotional by nature while men avoid expression of emotion which makes them unemotional. In ‘ “The Emotional Woman” and “The Unemotional Man” ‘ Debora Lupton contends that this gendered notion on the expression of emotions is both sourced from and effects the social status of males and females. Although it is acceptable that all individuals are capable of feeling emotions, during the history of western cultures it is perceived to be normal and appropriate for women to express emotions such as fear, sentimentality,grief while expression of emotions such as anger, aggressiveness or rage are less expected to be expressed by women.
The widespread imbalance in sex’s interests and expectations poses as a communication gap between the two genders. It causes men and women to have different impressions of social interaction with the opposite sex. In “Sex, Lies, and Conversation,” written by Deborah Tannen, She states that lack of conversation is wreaking havoc within marriages. In order to avoid these conflicts we should understand how each other behaves so that we won’t get the wrong idea about our attitudes and judge them unfairly. Deborah Tannen describes how differences in communication start in the childhood socialization.
Gender roles continue to change as this is how individuals develop over a given period of time. Due to the negative role developed because of the assumption that an individual’s gender dictates his or her dominance in society, change must take place. The role of the media in portraying the gender aspects is important since the media makes the distinction as to what is presented and believed within society. Furthermore, the role played by the humans in a gender-mode is type of taboo since tends to develop harsh judgments and bitter that eventually becomes public perceptions. In contrast, gender roles that are being exploited in a negative fashion by the
(Media Awareness Network) Stereotypes can be problematic, reducing a wide range of differences in people to simplistic categorizations. This transforms assumptions about particular groups of people into realities. Mass media, such as movies, television, magazines, newspapers, books, music, and computer games, both reflect and shape gender roles. (Knox) Women and men are usually depicted as having extremely different roles in society, evident in the way media portray them. (Al-Ghafari) Some gender roles confine both sexes to traditional duties and responsibilities.
Since we don’t realize that others’ styles are different, we miscommunicate with each other causing problems and conflicts in conversation. Conflicts are influenced by our gender and experienced everyday in the workplace, public, and private settings. Men and women both have many different conversational ways. The common ways among us men often involve “using things such as joking, teasing, and playful put-downs.” We can sometimes come across as hostile and arrogant when we aren’t trying to be. The conversational rituals common among women are often ways of “maintaining an appearance of equality, taking into account the effort of the exchange on the other person, using up effort to downplay the speaker’s authority so they can get the job done without flexing their muscles in an obvious way.” Women use conversational strategies to avoid appearing conceited and take another person’s feelings into account.
Just the Way We Are Everyone thought that there are similar differences between males and females. Both genders are different through their social, emotional and intellectual qualities. Gender roles influence women and men in virtually every area of life including family and occupation, but are women and men subject to different roles or behavior expectations? Gender role by definition is,” the public image of being male or female that a person presents to others.” (Dictionary.com). In early American culture it was common for a women’s job to be an obedient housewife in clear contrast to the male’s duty to be a job holder.
What are gender stereotypes and how are they conveyed in our society? According to Mior and Jessel (1989), gender refers to the socially constructed roles of, and relations between, men and women, while 'Sex' refers to biological characteristics which define humans as female or male. These biological characteristics are not mutually exclusive however, as there are individuals who possess both. This definition is also shared by the website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender. A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals.
Gender inequality refers to disparity between individuals due to gender. Gender is constructed both socially through social interactions as well as biologically through chromosomes, brain structure, and hormonal differences. It is the differences in the status, power and prestige women and men have in groups, collectivises and societies. An unequal share in the distribution of power and influence between men and women. Unequal opportunities for financial independence through work or through setting up businesses.
In addition to body movements and gestures, the nonverbal cues given through facial expressions and eye contact, personal space, and touch, influence individual interactions in the workplace. While this body language is fairly well understood in general in each culture, there are major cultural differences in nonverbal communication. Because communication styles are different in different cultures and it can lead to misunderstandings, people should have general knowledge about cultural features, conversation etiquettes and mentality of other nationalities, so avoiding awkward situations. In different cultures communication can be differentiated in some ways. Culture can be defined as that set of values and beliefs, norms and customs, and rules and codes that socially define groups of people.