Did you know boys and girls communicate differently?

How Boys and Girls Communicate Differently: A Guide for Parents

Communication is a fundamental part of our lives, and it’s no secret that boys and girls “generally” have different communication styles. These differences are not just cultural or societal but are also innate. Understanding these differences can help parents have more meaningful and less conflict-ridden conversations with their kids.

The Innate Differences

• Boys and girls are wired differently, and this extends to how they communicate. Boys’ communication often occurs during activities and focuses more on facts, solutions, and competition. Their games often involve large groups, are competitive, and rely on strict guidelines and rules.
  
  
• Girls, on the other hand, are generally more expressive and talkative. They value relationships and connections, and their conversations often occur during relationship-building and talking. Girls are generally more accommodating and emotionally intuitive regarding interpersonal skills.

Improving Communication with Teens

As parents, our lives can often be busy and chaotic. Yet, it’s important that we make time to connect with our children. Here are three gentle suggestions to improve communication with your teens:

1. Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in what your teen is saying. Avoid interrupting and give them timeto express their thoughts and feelings. They don’t always need your feedback. We can say: “I hear you”, “how did that make you feel? “, tell me more”, etc.
   
   
2. Show Empathy: Try to understand things from your teen’s perspective. Acknowledge their feelings and let them know that it’s okay to feel the way they do. This can help build trust and open lines of communication. We can say: “I can understand that”, “that makes sense why you would feel like that“ etc.
   
   
3. Use Open-Ended Questions: Instead of asking yes/no questions, use open-ended questions that encourage your teen to share more about their thoughts and experiences. This can lead to deeper and more meaningful conversations. We can say: “Was this surprising to you”, “What would (person involved) have done differently?”, etc.

Wink Note 😉 Remember, these suggestions take practice and will have an effect over time. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. You know your child best, and what works for one might not work for another. The key is to be patient, understanding, and flexible in your communication approach. With time and effort, you can build a strong and healthy communication bond with your kid.

Sources:

1. https://positivepsychology.com/communication-activities-adults-students/ 
   
   
2. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Introduction_to_Communication/Communicating_to_Connect_Interpersonal_Communication_for_Today_%28Usera%29/05%3A_Gender_and_Sexuality/5.03%3A_Gendered_Differences_in_Communication 
   
   
3. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/FLM-FS-4-02-R10

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