Does language shape our expectations about male and female roles in society? How does this affect the communication process?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

- The English language was structured with an inherent bias in favor of men. For example, English has no singular gender-neutral pronouns. Therefore, traditionally, the masculine pronouns (he, him, his) have been used to refer to people in general, even if the referent could be a male or female. Use of the masculine pronoun is not incorrect grammatically, but its use in generic situations is a social issue. Language sets expectations that at times discriminate against and stereotype people. According to traditional usage, the omnipresence of he and him and the general absence of she and her subtly but powerfully give the impression that men hold important roles but women do not. Thus, our language creates the expectation that males are active and have important roles, while females are inactive and do not hold important roles.
- Sexist language can also be misleading. When a speaker constantly uses only female or only male pronouns such as "she can expect this," or "it is in his best interests," members of the excluded sex believe that the message has little or no relevance to them. When that happens, about 50 percent of listeners may not pay attention to vital information.
- Stereotypes do not occur in a social vacuum. On the contrary, they often exert a powerful influence on the lives of those who are stereotyped. Gender stereotypes influence perceptions and behaviors of both men and women. Stereotypes affect both how people are treated in society and how they think of themselves. Language is one significant means of perpetuating these stereotypes.