From my understanding, different interpretations and reactions can happen during the interactions and communication between men and women. Therefore, from here misunderstandings can happen and eventually, can affect relationships. I agree with this theory as me as a woman or just any woman may have come across this situation in their lives. For example, when it comes to serious problems, women are emotional and caring whereas most men always take serious problems lightly and hardly even care.
According to Griffin ( 2009, p.432), Tannen said that women always seeks for human connection where in contrast, men are concerned mainly with status. As I stated earlier about serious problems, women would always be there for their friends to listen whenever one is having a problem. However, the opposite will happen to men. Men always thought there is always an easy way out to every problem, solve the problem in just a second and gain a ‘hero’ status.
One example that I am going to use for the analysis of Genderlect theory is about an American, musical film known as “Grease”. This is one of my all-time favourite movie which was made in 1978.
In the summer of 1958, local teenager Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and vacationing Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) meet at the beach and fall in love. When the summer comes to an end, Sandy, who is going back to Australia, worries that they may never see each other again, but Danny tells her that their love is "only the beginning". Later, on the first day of Danny's senior year at Rydell High School, meets with his friends, the T-Birds, who like Danny, are the famous ‘bad boys’ in school. On the other hand, a group of girls known as the "Pink Ladies" are the popular girls at school. Sandy, is also at the school, having enrolled after her parents decided not to return to Australia. Sandy befriends the “Pink Ladies”.
Oblivious to each other's presence at school, Danny and Sandy tell the T-Birds and Pink Ladies their respective accounts of their summer romance. Danny told his friends how he made out and had a fling with a hot girl (Sandy) during the summer and his stories always lead him to being a hero which suits his ‘bad boy’ status at school. As for Sandy, she told her friends that her connection with Danny was so strong as Danny was romantic, sweet, caring and so on. Sandy thought Danny was the kindest and most perfect man she has ever met.
Then one night, their friends decided to re-unite Danny and Sandy. Of course both of them were very surprised that they were in the same school. Sandy was very eager and happy to see Danny and he was very happy to see Sandy too. All of Danny’s friend were very surprised to see Danny’s reaction as it does not suit his ‘bad boy’ status. Realising that his friends was shocked, Danny instantly pretend that he does not like Sandy at all. He was being fake just because he wanted to act ‘cool’ and show off infront of his friends. Then, Sandy was so annoyed with Danny’s fake reaction and left.
A scene where Danny and Sandy re-unite.
By the end of the scene, it was obvious that Danny was trying to be fake and mean just because he wanted to impress his friend with his ‘bad boy’ status. Even though Danny actually really like and has feelings for Sandy. As for Sandy, she did not hide her feelings when she was excited to see Danny as she thought they had a deep connection during the summer. When Danny was being fake, Sandy was really mad and emotional. From this scene, we can conclude that men always want status and respect and women are more into connection.
References :
Griffin, E. (2009). A first look at communication theory. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies
High and low context cultures. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2012, from Oregon State University website: http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/comm321/gwalker/Culture-Gender.htm
Tannen, D. (1994). Gender and discourse. New York: Oxford University Press.
Aziimah binti Othman (11B8111)
Tiada ulasan:
Catat Ulasan