Communication and Sex-role Socialization

Book excerpt: Originally published in 1993. The essays in this book collectively seek to illuminate the role of communication and sex-role socialization throughout the life cycle. Section 1 addresses some important issues and behaviours that have an impact on the beginnings of the socialization process. Section 2 covers socialization later on in relationships, the workplace and the political arena while section 3 looks at manifestations of socialization through communication strategies and skills. Finally section 4 addresses ways to alter socialization through instructional practices in higher education. The approach to studying sex-role socialization varies by perspective and methodology and conclusions are interpreted in diverse ways but the results have been very similar and the research in this volume shows that the socialization of males and females continues to reinforce male dominance despite women’s advancement toward equal status in society. This work is of interest in the fields of sociology, psychology, anthropology and women’s studies as well as communication.