Expectations while talking

 As human beings, we use language to communicate with each other and express ourselves. While communicating once women mix groups with men they are more likely to speak less than the other members of the group. While using language, we are more likely to encourage gender stereotypes without meaning to while also creating assumptions. Although most of us can communicate, but once we mix groups between men and women, the women in the group normally speak less. This can be because of multiple factors, like how women are more likely to be interrupted by men during discussions. I feel especially at Govs that while working with my male classmates,  I feel like the girls in my group and my voice are heard the least amount and when we are trying to talk certain boys in our group will take our comments and “mansplain” it as if our explanation was not good enough. I also find myself getting cut off or interrupted almost every time I try to talk. Which then leads to me not wanting to participate. This also happens to my female classmates who feel that their voices are not being heard. Although this happens very often at Govs, I feel that when I am surrounded by strong and empowered women in my classes it is easier to push back against the boys in the groups. Because of the support and encouragement from my peers. I feel while using language we sometimes enforce gender stereotypes, especially as young kids we learn through phases one gender is meant to be seen as weaker than the other. Growing up as a female athlete there were a lot of coaches who would tell the boys to “stop crying like a little girl”, or “You play like a girl” As a young child I thought these were normal but as I grew up it was statements like those that re supposed to make it seem like I was weaker or not as good as the rest of my teammates. Especially when boys are told to “man up” it is setting societal expectations for the younger generations on how they should act.