INFLUENCE OF

GENDER ON THE
DIMENSIONS OF
COMMUNICATION
LESSON 6
 Filipinos, even in this millennial century, still hold
certain attitudes that pertain to Gender communication.
Many of these attitudes are the product of our
colonization attitudes that persist even when the rest of
the world is changing. These attitudes are considered
traditions, a part of our culture.
A. VERBAL/NONVERBAL DIMENSIONS

• Men think they should be “macho” in

language and action. They use assertive
words and expect to be understood.
• Women are expected to be non-
confrontational in their language,
especially with men. They are supposed
to talk only about certain topics that are
within the world of women.
• Verbal and Nonverbal Dimensions of
Communication of men and women are
hardly constrained by such attitudes.
• Women can be so loud and assertive
like comedian and political activist
Juana Change, who does not mince her
words when it comes to politics.
• Men can talk about their feelings, even
cry like Christian pop singer Gary
Valenciano
B. ORAL/WRITTEN DIMENSIONS
• Written messages by Filipino women are
supposed to be indirect and circuitous. That well
have been true in the days of Maria Clara.
• Now with the access of mass media and social
media – both as reader and writer – Filipino
women write beyond what was once thought to
be safe topics for women.
• Instead of being soft spoken, they now speak
with directness exemplified by super star Nora
Aunor when she talked of Flor Contemplacion,
the Filipino nanny executed in Singapore, whom
she played in the movie.
 C. FORMAL/INFORMAL DIMENSIONS
• How does one dress for and talk during job interview?
Men may get away with wearing denims to a job
interview but, in many cases, women are expected to
don corporate attire.
• We call everyone by their nicknames, even the
President of the Philippines.
• Everyone we meet and talk to is either an Ate or Kuya.
• Teachers are addressed as “Miss” or “Mrs.”
• In many cases, a female teacher rather than a male
teacher will be the choice of students when disclosing
their problems because female teachers are more
sympathetic.
D. INTENTIONAL/UNINTENTIONAL
DIMENSIONS
• Filipinos love to smile, and do smile a lot.
However, the smiles may express different
emotions, not just happiness.
• A student smiling during exam may make
the teacher think that the exam is easy. On
the contrary, the smile may mean
nervousness about being able to answer all
the questions or not.
• Smiling just a couple is passing by may be
misconstrued. The girl may take offense and
her boyfriend may just beat you up.
 It is important to understand the dimensions of communication
because this helps in understanding where miscommunication
occurs. Whether it is verbal/nonverbal, oral/written,
formal/informal, or intentional/unintentional, communication is
effective if the Speaker uses verbal and nonverbal communication
efficiently in sending the Message to the Listener.

It is also important to remember that culture and gender play

an influential role in effective communication.
- END
ACTIVITY # 5
• MS Word
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- font style: Arial
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- Your NUESTRA Collection
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 Using the List of Communication Activities,
identify the Dimensions of Communication that
apply to each activity.