Answer to Question #321103 in Philosophy for Snembali

Question

Do gender status differences and age affect how you use different forms of address

Answer 1

Address forms are a key to the understanding of social concepts and human relationships in society. Different degrees of status difference or intimacy needs the choice of different forms of address. Females communicate in a more indirect, elaborate, and emotional, sense that can reflect uncertainty, tentativeness, and a lack of authority while males are perceived to have a communication style that is direct, succinct, and instrumental. The way in which males and females communicate have been explored in a variety of ways to distinguish the characteristics that makes us so different whether it is with words, tone of voice, emotional expression, or body language. The female communication style might be the weaker form, it can also be said that females are more able to establish a rapport that encourages response because of their ability to empathize and connect. While males' conversational style usually centers around their own independence, female communication style reflects their need for connectedness.

Gender research that explores what makes men and women alike, rather than different is gaining popularity. Many people do not believe that large differences between how the sexes communicate actually exist and that continuing the research that explores these differences can be dangerous by working to promote self-fulfilling prophecies. A higher density of similarly aged peers within communities may ensure greater social connectivity and mutual support into older age, generating greater opportunity for network choice. On the other hand, higher proportions of elderly individuals with greater morbidity may strain existing social ties and undermine exchange-based relationships within families and communities, generating greater network constraints.