Real Communication An Introduction

Chapter 5  Communication and Culture 135

work, ideas that affect communication within and between generations (Howe
& Strauss, 1992). For example, Americans who lived through the Second World
War share common memories (the bombing of Pearl Harbor, military experi-
ence, home-front rationing) that have shaped their worldviews in somewhat
similar—though not identical—ways. This shared experience affects how they
communicate, as shown in Table 5.2.
Similarly, the interplay between our sex and our gender exerts a powerful
influence on our communication. Sex refers to the biological characteristics (that
is, reproductive organs) that make us male or female, whereas gender refers to
the behavioral and cultural traits assigned to our sex; it is determined by the way
members of a particular culture define notions of masculinity and femininity
(Wood, 2008, 2011). Recall from Chapter 3, for example, that we can use dif-
ferences in our language styles to express differences in gender identity (Tannen,
2009, 2010).
So, are we destined to live our lives bound by the communication norms
and expectations for our sex or gender, our generation, our profession, our
hobbies, and our other co-cultures? Hardly. Recall the concept of behavioral
flexibility discussed in Chapter 1. This concept notes that competent communi-
cators adapt their communication skills to a variety of life situations. There are
contexts and relationships that call for individuals of both sexes to adhere to a
more feminine mode of communication (for example, comforting a distraught

What do you consider to be

your group memberships

and allegiances? What type

of impact, if any, do you think

these memberships have on

your communication?

AND YOU?

Generation

Unique co-cultures, changing in

importance in different situations

Ethnicity

Technology Gender

Socioeconomicstatus Race

Geography Career

Interests/hobbies Politics

Religion

Sexual

orientation

The Cultural Context

Co-cultures

Baby

boomer

French,

English,

German,

Irish

tech-challengedAdmittedly Female

million/yr$15-50 Caucasian

Actress/talk-

show host

Born in Louisiana/

lives in California

Leans

Democratic

Animal rights/

tennis

Non-

Lesbian practicing

FIGURE 5.3

THE MULTIFACETED

NATURE OF CO-CULTURES