permaculture

[Lee Flier <leeflier@comcast.net>]

 Like I said, I don't deny the research, but I just don't know that 
it's constructive to frame communications problems in those terms.  I 
think it's enough to simply say that there are different styles of 
communication (which are affected by a lot of factors including gender, 
culture, language, and individual upbringing) and it's probably 
constructive for everyone to work on their communication skills, 
especially in today's globalized culture.

I also don't necessarily agree that female leadership tends toward more 
cooperative or peaceful results.  We haven't had too many women in power 
throughout history to use as examples, but those we have had haven't 
necessarily been shining examples - Margaret Thatcher and Marie 
Antoinette come to mind. :D  Women are just as susceptible as men to 
being corrupted by power.

I realize there are some generalities that hold true in a lot of cases, 
but since I've personally been victimized by generalizations far more 
often than I've been helped (and know many others in the same boat), I 
tend to poke holes in them much more often than accept them.

On 8/21/2010 3:19 PM, Killian O'Brien wrote:
> Lee,
>
> This is basically an FYI comment, but I think if we are bothering to have 
> this conversation, we can't dismiss what is an important aspect of it, even 
> if not a central point of contention therein.
>
> Research, experience and history do show fairly large differences in 
> communicative styles which also translate over to problem solving. Of course, 
> these are generalizations, but they are real issues and the generalizations 
> apply to a large percentage of the population. Essentially, women problem 
> solve via relationships, men via practicalities.
>
> The results of female leadership because of this tend to create more 
> cooperative, more peaceful results... including societies. Like I said 
> before, I'd love to study with permaculturists such as Starhawk, but would 
> likely never teach in a similar style... though I might have 20 years ago.