Identify general patterns of similarities and differences in how masculine and feminine communication occurs within same sex friendships. (To make this question more challenging and integrate Chapter 7 material, add: Explain how these differences grow out of gendered family socialization.)
What will be an ideal response?
ANS: Both women and men report they value close, same-sex friendships and seek intimacy, acceptance, assistance, and trust in those relationships.
Women’s friendships: “face-to-face” relationships. Women tend to share and engage in personal, disclosive talk. Feminine norms of communication may make it difficult for women friends to cope with feelings of envy and competition. Female friends often discuss the qualities and dimensions of their relationships. Often characterized by breadth that introduces friends to many different aspects of each other’s lives.
Men’s friendships: “side-by-side” relationships. Activities tend to be the primary focus. Male friends tend to do things with and for others for whom they care, demonstrating an instrumental focus. Masculine socialization may restrict men’s willingness to verbally self-disclose feelings. Rather than talking about problems, male friends often try to distract friends from their problems by diverting their attention away from troubles. A covert intimacy may exist in men’s relationships, characterized by shared humor, friendly competition, and comfortable companionship. Men’s friendships tend to be narrower in scope than women’s friendships, with different friends for various spheres of interest.
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