Communicating Between Men and Women Essay -- CommunicatingLanguage Rel

Chromosomes Can't Explain This It's no secret that men and women often have difficulty communicating with one another. How many times, for example, have small disagreements combusted into gigantic tragedies with the exchange of only a few words and frustrated expressions? Despite the fact that male and female bodies were obviously made for clear interaction, our respective linguistic capabilities appear to have been scrambled. Some people may wonder how in the hell the human race continues to propagate given the disparaging gap separating the sexes. In an effort to peel away the layers of confusion forged between men and women, authors such as Deborah Tannen, John Gray, and Susan Page have worked to help couples deal with the strain of miscommunication. These authors present their viewpoints and offer their advice in their written work, offering reeling couples a chance to piece together the fragments of their relationship. While certainly not without their critics, these authors have taken steps to show both men and women how they can work towards better understanding what his or her mate is saying, and how to properly respond. "He doesn't understand!" Men have been traditionally chastised by their female companions for lacking the ability to communicate on an emotional, empathetic level. Oftentimes women do not understand why men can't relate to them as well as they'd like. Tannen, Gray, and Page cite different explanations for this phenomenon, and each suggest ways for men to overcome their natural disposition in effectively connecting with their special ladies. Tannen, first of all, proposes the notion that men communicate on a different basis than women. According to Tannen's book, You Just Don't Understa... ...rrestrial metaphor, criticizing him for blurring fiction with fact as a cornerstone for his popularity. Finally, Gleick insinuates that Gray thinks of himself as something of a messiah that would one day use his skills as a negotiator to parley world peace. Whether these authors, or their critics, can be taken for their word is left to each individual to decide. Tannen, Gray, and Page have endeavored to untangle the complex web of miscommunication between men and women. By the same token, their critics have worked to find fault in their arguments and perspectives. Nonetheless, their work has provided a basis from which all manners of people can begin to evaluate their own lives and relationships. Regardless of whether their advice is accurate or not, perhaps the words of these authors can be something to consider during that next fight with the significant other.