Media Illustration- Children's Gendered Play Styles

The two-culture theory suggests that boys and girls develop opposing conversational styles because of gender/sex segregated language user groups. It also suggests that there are gendered interaction styles, especially when interacting in same-sex groups.

In the studies, girls interacted in smaller groups, placed a greater emphasis on talk, and used negotiation. In their presumed play roles, they 1) used collaborative, cooperative talk; 2) avoid criticizing, outdoing, or putting others down; and 3) pay attention to others and relationships.

Boys, in contract, interact in larger groups and focus more on competition and independence. In their presumed play roles, they 1) use communication to achieve something; 2) attract and maintain audiences; and 3) compete for the "talk stage."

However, not all communication fits into these somewhat stereotypical views. Girls in sports defy these presumed play roles, as does shared play between boys and girls. As children transition into adolescence, there is a greater pressure to create a heterosexual identity. Boys tend to go from playing games to athletics, while girls move from games to sitting and watching boys.

The television show Full House provides a good example of children's gendered play styles, through the interactions of Michelle with her friends.

How does the above video show Michelle's interactions with her friends? How do her interactions both support and break the expectations of the gendered play roles?

AmFilms123. (2010, January 16). Full House moments - The Aaron Bailey Chronicles! (1/3) [Video file].

     Retrieved on January 27, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XlgPAyzEUw

DeFrancisco, V. P., & Palczewski, C. H. (2007). Communicating gender diversity: A critical approach. Los 

    
     Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.