Gender Through the Lens

The study of Gender and Communications are in a way a lot like peanut butter and jelly because we need both of them to understand the other. Lets start out with gender first and that some men are more with some more feminine characteristics and some women with more manly characteristics. These characteristics tie into communication because we based these conclusions from how they communicate with the world. Lets look at the definitions of gender: "defined by society and expressed by individuals as they interact with others and media in their society". This is why if we look at Gender through the lens of communication we conclude that media and interactions with others has an affect on gender. Therefore, making gender a constant change in everyone's life because we always evolving. Also to look at communication through gender and example is a friend telling another that he is transgendered and the friend than having to change his views on the topic. This is how they are both reciprocated in society how to be and how not to be. But, ultimately they both have affects on each other and how they keep expanding. Take back in the civil war days lesbians and gays were not aloud to even be teachers. Now look at how far we have come with accepted lesbians and gays into the community. Don't get me wrong we are not completely there as far legalizing gay marriage. But, we are making positive steps in the right direction.

Gender and Violence

In class this week we talked about Gender and Violence. There is a stigma that it is only men who have violence toward women. According to statistics in domestic violence the reports show it is male dominated although there are cases where women are the violent ones. Our teacher brought up a very good question of is violence a form of communication? My first instinct when answering this question was to immediately go with a yes. But, than we talked about the actual definition of communication which is: "a dynamic process of managing messages for the purpose of creating meaning". According to this definition violence would not be considered to fall under this. But, when you look at the different forms of violence I believe that it is a definite form of violence. Take a threat for example it is against the law and considered violence. Most men with domestic violence problems use threats as a way of control. Therefore, to answer this question I believe violence can be in a lot of different forms not just threw messages. It could be walking into the room and you know your significant other is mad at you and they get you a hateful look that says it all. Violence and the word love are complete opposites yet somehow people in society find a way to make them mean the same thing. When a person is physically abusing someone they often say it is because I love you so much you have this effect on me. Love to me is caring, faithfulness, trust, communication, patience and unconditional. It is where you love someone completely for who they are not who you wish they were than get angry at them for not living up to expectations. Violence needs to only be in the category of what love is NOT. Love is not hurtful, violent, jealous and controlling. Jealousy is a common reason to get mad at someone you love. But if we are going to go back to the meaning of life, there is to be no jealous and hatred toward other human being. My favorite  outlook on love is in the bible in the first Corinthians. I think you all know the message from that bible chapter. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not boast. All of those qualities sum up what love should be and how violence is the complete opposite of those. Everyone has there different definitions of love, but they all come down to the same meaning in the end and that is how love should be a phenomenal feeling that lifts you up. It should not be hurt to love someone and when violence is involved hurt consumes the abused person.