There are substantial behavioral differences between male and female students and it has been noted that these differences also translate into their approach towards help and support-seeking behaviors at the help desks. In the following paper, the researcher attempts to analyze these gender differences in help-seeking behaviors of students who approach help desks. With the help of the literature review and the following research, the researcher aims to aim to prove that the ratio of female students is greater than male students in seeking help and support.
Although males and female students encounter similar problems in their school and college lives, the manner in which they try to solve these problems is radically different. There is a marked difference in the manner in which either sex thinks and behaves, owing to which there have been numerous studies and research to clarify the reason for this substantial divergence in views.
According to Sachs (2001), men and women communicate in different ways, which leads to a dilemma. Sachs (2001) further confirms that this dilemma is further heightened by the presence of stereotypes in the societies and the differences in the communication styles between males and females which is responsible for the differences in the way in which male students and female students approach the help desks for aid and support.
Research and observation have established that females are more talkative and tend to gossip more than males (Wisch, Mahalik, Hayes, & Nutt, 1995). It has also been proved that there is an influence of positive and negative stereotypes on the males with regard to their approach and behaviors to seek help and support and males who strongly believed in traditional gender roles would be less likely to approach the help desk for support (Wisch et al., 1995).
Differences in communication styles between males and females have been substantiated by researchers who confirm that these differences have an immense impact on the help-seeking behaviors of the two sexes (Thompson, 1999). In the study, Thompson (1999) affirms that males/boys have a tendency to use language which is more object-oriented as compared to females/girls who tend to communicate with more self-oriented language, a primary reason why girls tend to ask for help more notably.
It has been established that females asked more questions than males during the course of an average conversation as this is believed to be more socially acceptable (Tannen, 1994). Tannen (1994) also states that this is due to the traditional and stereotyped belief that males are expected to be independent and function with much help and support.
The preceding research and review confirm that there are marked differences between the communication styles of men and women, which is the reason for gender differences in the help-seeking behaviors of male students and female students. Research and study regarding the reason for these differences would enable a better understanding of the student groups which would subsequently enhance the ability of the help desks to better their services and support to both the genders.
References
Sachs, M. A. (2001). Ohio state university fact sheet: Male/female communication styles. Web.
Tannen, D. (1994). Gender and discourse. New York: Oxford University Press.
Thompson, R. B. (1999). Gender differences in preschoolers’ help-eliciting communication. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 160, 357-368.
Wisch, A. F., Mahalik, J. R., Hayes, J. A., & E. A. Nutt. (1995). The impact of gender role conflict and counseling technique on psychological help-seeking in men. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 33, 77-85.