Gender Scripts in Professional Writing Textbooks

Abstract

A script-based semantic theory is used to examine selected professional writing textbooks published during the 1930s through the 1950s to show how they reflect and perpetuate sexual stereotypes. In these textbooks women are portrayed as subservient, emotional, and frivolous. Men, on the other hand, are portrayed as decisive, logical, and strong. These stereotype-based scripts suggest that men are more suited than women for positions of authority within the business world and have played an important role in relegating women to low-level positions.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1991-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651991005004007
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 5 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1177/001872677703000207
  2. 10.1002/hrm.3930160105
  3. 10.1080/00224545.1988.9713765
  4. 10.1016/0001-8791(75)90037-8
  5. 10.1177/108056998905200111
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