Communicating Gender Diversity : A Critical Approach

by Victoria Pruin DeFrancisco

• ISBN13: 9781412925594
• ISBN10: 1412925592
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-06-21
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

The purpose behind Communicating Gender Diversity: A Critical Approach is not to provide any final conclusions about communicating gender. Because gender is a constantly evolving concept, both in terms of individualsÆ gender identity development and the larger cultureÆs predominant notions of gender, such absolute claims are not possible. Instead, the intent is to better equip readers with tools with which they can examine, and make sense of, the intersections of communication and gender. The text covers the variety of ways in which communication of and about gender and sex enables and constrains peopleÆs intersectional identities. The authors believe people are social actors and, as such, create meaning through their symbolic interactions. Thus, the book's emphasis is not on how gender influences communication, but on how communication constitutes gender. They also believe that people are capable of being self-reflective about communication processes, and creative in generating new ways to play with symbols.

Table of Contents

Foundations

Developing a Critical Gender/Sex Lens

Gender Differences: A Cultural Obsession

A Critical Vocabulary or a New Lens Prescription

Putting It All Together

Alternative Approaches to Understanding Gender/Sex

Biological Approaches

Psychological Approaches

Descriptive Cultural Approaches

Critical Cultural Approaches

Conclusion: Gender Diversity

Gendered/Sexed Voices

Constructing a Critical Gender/Sex Lens

Constructing Gender/Sex in Communication

Cultural Perceptions of Gender/Sex Styles and Speakers

Power and Talk

Conclusion

Gendered/Sexed Bodies

Gender Embodiment: Why Nonverbals Matter

Constructing a Critical Gender/Sex Lens

Components of Nonverbal Communication

Gender as Body Performance

Refusing the Command Performance

Conclusion

Gendered/Sexed Language

Theories Explaining the Power of Language

Language Can Be Used to Oppress and Subordinate

Language as Resistance

Conclusion: An Ethics of Language

Institutions

Introduction to Gender in Social Institutions

What Is an Institution?

Institutional Control and Hegemony

Gender Is a Social Institution

Institutionalized Gendered/Sexed Violence

Unit Preview

Family

Family as a Social Institution

Interlocking Institutions

Family Constructs (and Constrains) Gender

Emancipatory Families

Conclusion

Education

Education as a Social Institution

Interlocking Institutions

It's Not About Sex Difference

Education Constructs (and Constrains) Gender

Emancipatory Education

Conclusion

Work

Work as a Social Institution

Interlocking Institutions

It's Not About Sex Difference

Work Constructs (and Constrains) Gender

Work as Liberation and Locations of Empowerment in Work

Conclusion

Religion

Religion as a Social Institution

Interlocking Institutions

It's Not About Sex Difference

Religion Constructs (and Constrains) Gender

Religion as Liberation and Locations of Empowerment in Religion

Conclusion

Media

Media as a Social Institution

Interlocking Institutions

It's Not About Sex Difference

Media Construct (and Constrains) Gender

Media as Always Liberatory and Constraining

Conclusion

One Last Look Through a Critical Gendered Lens

References

Index

About the Authors

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