Here we go again! Ok, it’s nice that a study was done to compare the number of words spoken over the same period of time by both men and women. It’s nice that the number of words were relatively equal. What isn’t nice is that the results from this study, conducted only with college students in one geographic location, are being used as the standard for all men and women.

As a gender issues and communications expert for over 14 years, here’s my reaction: Women do, GENERALLY, talk more than men. There is nothing wrong with this. It is merely a style difference, stemming from physiological and social differences, wiring if you will. I suppose I should take the time to explain all these wiring differences here, but not today. The point is that differences are just that - differences. Not right or wrong, good or bad. Women feel pressure to deny these differences because men judge them harshly. Many women do talk more than many men. It doesn’t mean they talk TOO much. See the judgment in the word too?

Sweeping our differences under the rug is not the way to reach and retain equality. The best way takes longer, no doubt, but if we keep sweeping them under the rug we will trip over them and fall flat on our faces. What we need to do is learn about the differences, why they exist, and how to work with them more effectively. Yes, we need to change perspectives and judgments.

So what if women talk more than men? Maybe if more men did more talking we would have less war on the planet. Extreme example, I admit, but is it really that far-fetched?