1 Learning Objectives

• Describe how sex and gender are ranges of identity rather than just two fixed “male” or “female” boxes, using biological and social evidence.
• Use communication theories to explain how our language and social habits create gender rules and power differences.
• Identify the different gendered verbal and nonverbal styles (like “rapport-talk” versus “report-talk”) that people are traditionally taught to use.
• Apply theories of gendered communication to see how different communication styles cause common relationship struggles.
• Explain the unique stress and communication hurdles faced by transgender and non-binary people, especially in places like healthcare.
• Create a personal plan for gender-inclusive communication.

Interpersonal communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction that is significantly shaped by gender through a complex matrix of socialization, cultural norms, and psychological factors. While biological sex labels individuals based on physical markers like reproductive organs, gender is a broader term representing the socially and culturally constructed roles, responsibilities, and behavioral expectations assigned to them. Although many societies have traditionally enforced a rigid gender binary, scientific research and contemporary social perspectives confirm that both sex and gender accurately exist along a spectrum or continuum. Because communication is the primary mechanism through which these identities are constructed, maintained, and challenged, achieving gender literacy is essential for fostering agency and navigating healthy, inclusive interpersonal relationships.