Before I answer, I would just like to clarify that this type of "gender defining" is not something that I support or particularly enjoy reading. It is indeed interesting and probably good general guidelines, however one cannot take these "results" too seriously as each situation and individual are unique and not to be reacted to based on a scale of "masculinity/femininity".
In my opinion, I believe these students defied traditional gender roles, if we're speaking on extreme realms of fem./masc. While the emails from the females (SAW) were perhaps more emotionally laden than the email from the male member, it was not distinctive. This I can define as "role reversal", and perhaps might be a slight source of their collaboration difficulties. If all the members were to just an "androgynous" approach to their collaboration efforts and discussed their emotions, goals, and concerns with open ears would help greatly.
2. Review several communications between you & your teammates. Did you fulfill/defy gender roles? How so?
Overall, I cannot pick up definite signs of fem./masc. roles in any of my projects in this course. I believe we all defied gender roles, as it always seemed to be an equally leading team effort. All team members would send the initial contact/confirmation and work quite fairly and effectively.
3. Based on this observation and analysis, can you categorize yourself as an androgynous collaborator? In what ways/why?
I believe that I can classify myself as an androgynous collaborator, because I can place equal emphasis on collaboration techniques between masc. and fem. characteristics, without overbalancing one side. However, I will take this article to heart when I apply myself to "real world" situations outside of the classroom. I have a feeling that it might have a different approach to consider.
Heidi, depending of the group setting and the individuals I work with depends on how agressive I become (masculine). When you are working in the real world situations I am sure you will see these gender issues much more clearly. Still, I never looked at my previous group situations as gender roles, I did look at personality traits as over/less agressive.
ReplyDeleteAs a male, my role in groups have been defined by the traditional patriarchal hierarchy. Males are the leaders. After some of the courses that I have in the RPW degree, I can see why there is conflict within collaborative groups. Each gender wants to be dominate that is what causes conflict and poor performance within the group. I see problems forming and some of them could be avoided with a better line of communication. Some are personality conflicts which could be solved with a face to face meeting.
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