Following the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines
Children will begin forming bonds in school. This will begin as early as elementary school and continue throughout the individual’s life as they learn how to interact and coexist with the opposite sex. When they are young, the opposite gender may be ostracized based on “having cooties” or simply being a girl or boy, i.e. girls cannot play with trucks, boys cannot play with dolls. However, communication remains at a peer level. This remains, to some degree, as the individuals progress into young adulthood. However, the young males will use communication and interaction to subjugate young females in order to appear dominant in some instances. They will also use interaction to attempt to get dates to show dominance, as well.
There are also interactions and relationships between the genders at work. Many jobs, such as nursing, waiting tables, managerial work, and average office work, have both genders working on the same level. They must work together to finish tasks and, therefore, must try to treat each other as equals. Friendships are normally formed in these situations. Other jobs do not allow this. For example, coal mining and oil drilling do not allot spots for female workers; therefore, no bonds can be formed.
Romantically, many complex interactions and communicative responses can take place. Relationships form before, during, and after marriage between the genders. Many relationships form before marriage because it is often considered a big decision and these relationships are to choose the “right” person to marry. It is called a courtship, and its purpose is to check for compatibility and build a bond with another individual. Courtship typically includes dating, giving gifts, learning to navigate difficult experiences together, learning to communicate, and sexual encounters. The result is marriage, which leads to companionship or divorce.
The genders often encounter one another casually in several different settings allotting for many different types of interactions. Bars, restaurants, parties, and things of that nature all exemplify casual settings. Professional individuals have been found to act differently toward the opposite gender in these settings. Oftentimes, they are forced to be unapproachable and guarded in order to look powerful and remain the head of an industry. Therefore, they do not make many friends or have many friendly interactions with either gender. However, in casual settings, many professionals are able to drop this exterior and act as they truly feel. They are often more approachable and more friendly.
Different social events and arenas can also dictate how men and women interact with one another. For example, at a bar men are often very accommodating and willing for women because they are typically there to find a date, or somebody to take home that night. Strip clubs, a normally seedy arena, also has men acting eager and accommodating in their exchanges with women. The women will act interested and excited about the men, enticing them further. However, this is normally only for monetary gain. In public, well-lit areas, such as restaurants where families frequent, men and women tend to act more proper and considerately more appropriate in their exchanges, perhaps because they know they are being watched. The arena, and the individual’s motive has a significant impact on how the genders act toward one another at certain times.
References
Wood, J. (2012). Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters. Chicago: Cengage Learning.
Woods, J. (2012). Gendered Lives. Chicago: Cengage Learning.
