Stereotypes of Feminine Speech Attributes: A Comparison of Gender-Stereotyping versus Self-Stereotyping Attitudes in Pakistani Society

Abstract

This research paper aims to examine gender stereotypes of feminine speech attributes in Pakistani society and to compare gender stereotyping versus self-stereotyping attitudes toward these attributes. A preliminary survey was conducted on a sample of 50 Pakistani adults, from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad (2022). Participants were asked to rate their agreement or disagreement with the following six feminine speech characteristics: more talkative, show agreement in speech, demand clarification, show surprise, show minimal responses and be more polite in conversation. Results showed that both males and females had a strong agreement that females are more talkative and polite in conversation, while they were less likely to agree that females demand clarification, show surprise, or show minimal responses. In conclusion, this study shows that both gender-stereotyping and self-stereotyping attitudes are present in Pakistani society when it comes to feminine speech attributes.