Susan Herring's essay, "Bringing Familiar Baggage to the New Frontier: Gender Differences in Computer-Mediated Communications," addresses gender differences in communication styles, as well as distinct gender differences in what is considered ethical communication on the Internet.

While reading Herring's essay, I compared the same communication behaviors addressed in Herring's essay with those I have observed in the work place. Although my perspective is based on face-to-face communication versus Herring's computer-to-computer communication, I believe that the gender differences in communication are primarily the same in both environments. Herring writes that some women tend to show such behaviors as "hedging, apologizing, asking questions, rather than making assertions--and a personal orientation, revealing thoughts and feelings" (191) in their Internet communications. I have observed these behaviors and have been guilty of them myself in face-to-face meetings with male counterparts. I have often viewed this female style of communication, as defined by Herring, as a weakness. If a female demonstrates a tentative, apologetic, or unobtrusive style of communication in a male dominated meeting, she is less likely to be taken seriously. The behavior observed by Herring in the male-dominated Internet discussion groups serves to reinforce what I have observed first-hand--women being "ignored, trivialized, or criticized by men for their tone or the inappropriateness of their topic" (191). Of course, I have observed women who possess a style of communication that demands attention and respect from their male counterparts. I believe these women have managed to overcome or modify what Herring described as "deeply rooted [... gender based communication styles] learned early in life" (195).

The ingrained communication styles of each gender extend to the differences in determining the standards of communication on the Internet. Herring writes that men and women hold different standards in determining "the value systems that underlie and are used to rationalize communicative behavior on the net" (195). Contrasting present day Internet communications with my work place of 10 to 15 years ago, I rarely came across written material considered inappropriate. Both men and women appeared to follow the same rules of etiquette in their written communications. The advent of Internet communication has changed the rules of etiquette. As the main pioneers of the computer age, men have been quick to embrace freedom of expression on the net. Women have been slower to accept the "anything goes" atmosphere of the net. The reasons for such polarities are expressed by Herring, who maintains that men are more willing to express their views with "forthright and open expression, and agonistic debate" (196) while women continue to consider the thoughts and feelings of others in their Internet communications. The existing gender gap in communication styles on the Internet is vast. In order to close the gap, women should become more proactive in their Internet communications. The Internet is a forum for change, and "is still evolving and seeking its ultimate definition" (198). How it is ultimately defined depends on the communication strategies of each gender.

Herring, Susan. "Bringing Familiar Baggage to the New Frontier: Gender Differences in Computer-Mediated Communications." Cyberreader. 2nd ed. Ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 190-201.

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