Chapter two: Putting Myths in Context.
"The current myth of Mars and Venus depends heavily on the idea that whereas women liek to talk and are skilled in the verbal arts, men are like the husbands in the problem page letters: they prefer doing to talking, and find it difficult to express themselves in words. In 'scientific' versions of the myth, the explanation given for this that women's verbal abilities are innately superior to men's.
In this chapter she presents several examples where in different cultures in different times, women's verbal skills were not so estemmed as they are currently in the West. Although it resonates with me that the styles of languages between men and women have not been universally the same throughout the centuries, I thought her chapter could have been more substantive. I don't think Mars and Venus has applied to all cultures or will apply to all cultures. Here, of course, is the part of me that says nurture plays a role--a significant role in language. Hey Estel, can you briefly share any insight about your studies on this subject as far as the mars/venus being more cultural than universal?
