At Kenyatta University, women speak better and men write better

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At Kenyatta University, women speak better and men write better

Journal Title: International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 4

Abstract

At postgraduate theses defence sessions in Kenyatta University I have observed that as a general rule both men and women are capable of making good oral presentations. However, I have also observed that women are more likely to make better oral presentations even when their written work is not so good. A man making a good oral presentation, on the other hand, is also more likely to have good written work as well. What may be the explanation? It is unlikely that these differences emanate from the curriculum since both girls and boys pursue the same curriculum from kindergarten to University. I propose that the reason is to be found in the institution of patriarchal hegemony as found in Kenya and in many other societies. This has meant that while the written word is a male-dominated sphere, verbal speech has been more difficult for patriarchy to regulate. As a result, in oral speech women are presented with an opportunity to excel more than they have been able to do through writing. It is my contention that this situation can further be explained by the theory of gene-culture coevolution. Gene-culture coevolution is the proposition that our cultural environment is capable of influencing our genetic evolution as well. Thus, while writing has evolved culturally as a male-dominated field because of patriarchy, women have, as a consequence, adapted better to speech. My contention is that it is this process of gene-culture coevolution that explains this general trend of women being better speakers while men are better writers; at least, at Kenyatta University.

Authors and Affiliations

D. M. Ombaka

Keywords

At Kenyatta University, women speak better and men write better

EP ID EP175769
DOI -
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