She began her report by defining the word "norm." "An unwritten rule that guides or regulates acceptable or appropriate behavior in a particular situation (Horowits and Bordens, 1995). She further stated that stereotypes are stigmatic and discriminatory labels that are placed on people, for example, the statement that "women are bad drivers" is a stereotype. In driving situations, there are common expectations placed on individuals by others. For instance, there's a majority of people who believes that men are less likely to ask for directions and women find it more comfortable to do so. Another example is that women prefer their male counterparts to drive and they ride as passengers. These types of expectations and lebeling prove to have a lot of influence on how we see one onother. 

Cara Lucey had also distributed a questionnaire to eight males and eight females. These questions were based on the individuals' feelings of anger and compulsion and the philosophies on driving. The results of the questionnaire were that women scored a little higher in most areas than men. She also wrote on the importance of reliability and validity when conducting psychological tests.

Although, aggressive driving is more acted upon by male drivers, we should not exclude female who are aggressive drivers. These aggressions do not exist depending on our gender, but are also acts of abuse with persisting psychological damage. By generating behaviors that are abusive and acceptable as part of our norm, in turn we are encouraging abusive behaviors to continue.

In conclusion, I began this lenghty search of the Internet to determine if there was an answer to the question of whether common gender stereotypes of driving were True or False. After reading numerous articles by informed experts and everyday newsgroup postings from ordinary people all over the world, I've concluded that this is not a black and white yes or no question. Every person (driver) brings their own cultural and gender biases to their analysis of the question. Just as the physical act of driving is not accomplished by a strictly logical thought process but rather by an instictual, learned behavior, so an individual's response to the question of gender differences in driving is also not a purely logical response. The fact that the majority of the postings and articles were written by men also poses the same question--is the debate shaped by the male dominated Internet culture?

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E-mail Postings on Gender Differences in Driving

 

Mr. Shintani (G7) wrote:

Well I dont think that gender has a lot to do with aggressive driving? as we have discussed in class the study that someone did that says that women are more aggressive drivers. I dont think that this study is right. it could have been biased by the way that people answered the questions. I think that term is self actulization. the males might have wanted to make themselves look better. I think that a study will just have to genderless. unless a set of questions can be developed that will account for the differences that are afforded to each gender. because in certain areas women are more truthful than men, but in other men are more truthful. well that's just my views on the matter.

I can't agree with Mr. Shintani that gender has nothing to do with how a person drives, however, neither can I state conclusively exactly how gender contributes to aggressive driving. Depending on the type of research method used, we usually cannot get the result that will prove whether women or men are more aggressive drivers. It would be difficult if not impossible to create a controlled laboratory/research environment in which human emotions can be monitored with precision. Not to mention, this one would have to be on wheels! Mr. Shintani also mentioned the way people answer the questions presented to them--more often than not, people will give you an answer that makes them look good but isn't quite the truth.

 

Brandi Ashby (G7) wrote:

As we have discussed in class, the people you don't expect to be aggressive behind the wheel are the ones you most need to be concerned about. I suppose that men are more aggressive;however, women are not the sweet non-aggressive creatures some perceive. I read in the sunday paper that women are increasingly becoming more aggressive behind the wheel.

Brandi Ashby's comment that women are not always the sweet non-aggressive drivers people label them to be is, I think, true. We really cannot answer this question until we have more reliable demographics available for us to make an informed and scientifically based judgment on who is more aggressive behind the wheel--men or women.

Mary Elizabeth Pacheco (G7) wrote:
As I have mentioned in an earlier reply, I have not come across much research specifying the gender behind the wheel. I only assumed that because of social norms and characteristic of the male gender, that most aggressive driving is committed by the male gender. I too am interested in the cases where women are responsible. I will start to search the web and its newsgroups. I recommend these student do the same if they haven't alreasy.

This conversation about who's more aggressive behind the wheel is going nowhere. Mary Elizabeth is right, the Internet is probably an excellent place to start a search on gender differences in driving (if it even exist.) However, one must always keep in mind that the Internet is just as rife with opinions and beliefs that may or may not be factually based as traditional media such as newspapers, books, magazine and journal articles, and television. It is worth noting that the vast majority of web sites on the Internet are unregulated and unedited by any accountable source ... this is even more true of unmoderated newsgroups.

Wilfred Lee (G7) wrote:
Is there much of a difference between genders when referring to aggressive driving? I thought women drove as bad as men did. :) Or did I get my facts crossed?

I think aggressive driving is more closely related to an individual's personality and formative behavioral patterns than on their gender. Both men and women drive aggressively just the same as both men and women commit homicide, perjury and infidelity. There is no way to logically, objectively and scientifically separate the sexes on the issue of behavior behind the wheel.

Web visitor Brisaacs wrote (November 1997):
I hate to say this but it is usually the people of ethnic backgrounds, women, and older people that can not drive.

Mr. Shintani (G7) wrote:
I think that this person has a few deep rooted problems that he has to deal with before he can tackle the topic of road rage. Let me see what is this man's problems well I gather from his e-mail that he is a racist, a sexist and he discriminates against the elderly. Did I leave anything out? I don't think that this man can see past his own blind vision to see anything else, so it would be the case that he is a very aggersive driver that is trying to defend his way of driving. I wouldn't doubt that he cuts people off or shows that finger on a regular basis. He should really go to some anger management classes or some form of therapy.

I agree with Mr. Shintani: Brisaacs seems to me either a racist or a chauvinist. I've seen and heard many male drivers address a bad driver as if it were a woman, an Oriental woman, an old woman, or worse yet, an "old oriental woman" without looking first. They just assume it's a woman and that women don't know how to drive. Most of the time, after passing the "bad driver" it's usually a man. It's funny how these same men were driven everywhere by their mothers yet they're still alive--could it be that their mother (a woman!) could actually have driven well enough to make sure he is where he is now (discriminating against women drivers)?

"The history of the stereotype of women driver's is one that I feel is still questionable. I see some validity in Berger's ideas that the 'negative' stereotypes of female drivers were started as a means of keeping women in their place in the social status of society. This is evident as I look back at history of women. Traditionally, women held the role of the homemaker, mother, and wife; anything other than that role would not be tolerated or permitted, at least until recently. As there is a trend to invalidate these stereotypes of women as the feminist movement progresses."

"Through the history of women drivers, women have proved that they are men's equal in many respects. However, male and female capabilities and hindrances can be seen as both are inclined to have accidents: as shown in Statistisches Bundesamt (1987), both male and females were inclined to have accidents though in different settings, and in McKenna et al. (1990) indicated that both males and females, rated their assessment of their own driving skills higher than that of the average driver. Indicating that males and females have things in common despite the gender differences. According to Popkin, Rudisill, and Waller (1988: 220) historically men have driven more than women, though this trend is slowly changing with the times, and the number of licensed women drivers increasing could possibly change the statistics of convicted number of males and females. The idea of male historically drive more, may account for the greater number of driving convictions for males." (Christine Tomooka, 1994).

With that in mind -- and in my own opinion, not as a scientific fact -- I feel women are less aggressive than men when it comes to driving. However, I believe there are some women out there who are less inhibited behind the wheel. Due to the gender roles men assume, I feel men are more likely to experience road rage and display their aggressiveness behind the wheel. 

 

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Web Discussion

Author: AMY
Email: ajgrant@umr.edu
Date: 1998/10/29
Forums: rec.autos.sport.nascar

Ms.Goodwrench wrote:

> Plum Nasty wrote:
> >
> > She got collected in a wreck. It's a novelty to see a woman race, but lets
> > face it,..they suck.
> >
>
> Is that why Shirley Muldowney won 3 national titles?
>
> Considering it was next to impossible for a woman to even get permission
> to be on the track 30 years ago, I think we've done pretty damned well.
> The handful of female competitors that've made the big leagues of
> NASCAR, CART, and others, have been middle aged by the time they get a
> ride - and that ride has typically been with mediocre-at-best teams.
> Race and gender have no bearing on skill driving a race car or bike
> (with the possible exception of motocross); a lot of experts over the
> years have stated women could conceivably have an edge racing because of
> quicker reactions & reflexes, not to mention stamina.
>
> And for every woman who "suck" on the track, there are several dozen
> guys who suck just as bad -- often worse -- each race.
>
> Of course, this argument's validity relies on the psychology behind your
> post.
>
> Ms.Goodwrench

----------------------------------------------------

OK. But I again ask the questions I posed the first time this thread went around: Why can't women crack thru to the major series? Why is no woman even close? What's the real skinny? Why can't you guys hack it? But know that the pat excuse that it's all just a result of male dominance and oppression is starting to wear a bit thin.

----------------------------------------------------

Author: Richard Wrong
Email: RichardWrong@usa.net
Date: 1998/09/23
Forums: alt.music.pink-floyd

MetaLuna wrote:
>
> > Women drivers, eh? ;-)
>
> > Ricky Dee
> >
>
> I'll bet that I drive better than YOU, my child.
>
> Actually, what happens is this:
>
> Women drive the speed limit. Men do not. Men bump into the women, who
> then crash.
>
> Women stay within the lanes. Men do not. Men bump into the women, who
> then crash.
>
> Women use their turn signal. Men do not. Men bump into the women, who
> then crash.
>
> -Cherrie

------------------------------------------------

Give me a fucking break. I'm an excellent driver. Haven't been in an accident or had a ticket in over 15 years. My 'friend' Sheila on the other hand, has gotten 4 tickets and been in 3 accidents in the same period of time. My roommate Kim has destroyed two cars and gotten 3 tickets in the last two years. Every freakin day I see some dumb bitch driving down the road putting makeup on or changing clothes. One time I was on my motorcycle and some dumb bitch just changed lanes and ran right over me. I'm laying on the pavement bleeding from about 6 places and wondering why my left leg is bent in a way that is not normally possible and the ignorant bitch walks up and pulls an Urkle on me. "Did I do that?" And we won't even get into the old brain dead women that still drive, doing 15 mph in a 65 mph zone, just waiting for an accident to happen.
Do you even have a drivers license? How much driving experience do you base this opinion on? I put in about 25,000 miles a year, going all over the country. And BTW, I was driving long before you were even a gleam in your daddies eye. -- Richard Wrong

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My Comments

Above are web messages both from professional race car drivers and ordinary drivers. The aggression and defensive attitude of both men writers is apparent in their style of writing and choice of words. Richard Wrong, I think, is just plain wrong and is generalizing. Whereas, the other man writer, sounds as if he's almost afraid that women might dominate the race track someday and his way of making sure that didn't happen is by putting women down.

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Web Sites On Gender and Driving

I found two web sites that were on gender and driving. I went through AltaVista search engine and found a number of sites and web discussions about gender differences and driving but the following, I think, best suits my report:

The first web site, Ask Mr. Traffic, talks about the increased aggressiveness of women drivers involved in incidents of aggressive driving. He said that many otherwise peaceful motorist become enraged road warriors when they get behind the wheel regardless of their sex. This site features a lot of good information about driving and it also featured Dr. Driving meeting Mr. Traffic.

The second web site, Ireland on Sunday, an article by Eugene Masterson stated that many male drivers seems to harbour an inexcusable hatred of women drivers. That the syndrome frequently manifests itself in road rage and brings out the worst in male egos. This site is full of information regarding gender differences in driving and also features how women are becoming better achievers in the world of car racing. 

 

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References from Journal Database

1. Ayres, I. Fair Driving: Gender and Race Discrimination in Retail Car Negotiations. Harvard Law Review, 1991, 104, 817.

2. Farrow, J. and Brissing, P. Risk for DWI. A new Look at Gender Differences in Drinking and Driving Influences, Experiences, and Attitudes Among New Adolescent Drivers. Health Education Quarterly, 1990, 17, 213-21.

An abstract provided by the ERIC journal database, indicated that this article was a study on a group of tenth graders. This study measured demographics, family characteristics and influences, drug and alcohol use, perception of driving skills, and personality factors. The abstract also mentioned the gender differences of attitudes among teens in drinking and driving.

3. Haapaniemi, P. Cover Feature: What Women Should Know About Men Drivers (and vice versa). Family Safety and Health, 1995, 54, 16.

4. Haare, N., Field, J., and Kirkwood, B. Gender Differences and Areas of Common Concern in the Driving Behaviors and Attitudes of Adolescents. Journal of Safety Research, 1996, 27, 163.

5. Lembright, M.F., and Riemer, J.W. Women Truckers' Problems and the Impact of Sponsorship. Work and Occupations: An International Sociological Journal, 1982, 9, 457-74.

An abstract provided by the ERIC journal database, indicated that this article was a study done on women truck drivers. The abstract also mentioned the stress and tensions women truck drivers suffer due to being in a non-traditional occupation.

6. Treiman, K., and Beck, K. Adolescent Gender Differences in Alcohol Problem Behaviors and the Social Contexts of Drinking. Journal of School Health, 1996, 66, 299-304.

An abstract provided by the ERIC journal database, indicated that this article was a study on the gender differences in the social context of drinking associated with alcohol problem behaviors among more than 1300 high school students. These behaviors include high intensity drinking, binge drinking, driving while intoxicated, and riding with an intoxicated driver.

 

---

Looking Back at Past Reports

I did a search on gender and driving through the online generational curriculum and I came across Christine Tomooka's (G4/499) report, entitled The Stereotypes of Women Drivers: From Male Conducted Research and Analysis From My Perspective. According to Ms. Tomooka, stereotypes of men and women greatly influence their driving personalities. She indicated that men were less likely to comply and internalize the usage of seat belts but women did. This is evident in society's socialization of females and promotion of independence of males. Therefore, in some ways, it is not surprising that more males, in general, are non-compliant to traffic laws and women tend to be. Traditionally, women have been taught to adhere to the rules and comply. However, this trend is slowly changing as a new trend of drivers as certain aspects of driving will not be male dominated as more female drivers are being licensed. Also, as increase usage of aggression and assertiveness by women in all aspects of their life, this, she said, will indirectly influence their driving attitudes as well. She concluded her report in saying that she found evidence through articles that support the idea that women are equal in ability, if not better than men in driving ability.

 

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Topics on Gender and Driving in Rothe Textbook

Rothe, the author of Beyond Traffic Safety, discussed the issue of gender and driving in chapter six, which is on page 69. The chapter is entitled "Becoming a Driver and Ex-Driver". On page 70, Rothe discussed what it means to get your driver's license as a teenager. He said teen boys are enthusiastic to get their license because it's sort of a norm to have your license by the age of sixteen. If you don't have your license, you're consider a geek! On the other hand, girls felt the opposite of the boys. They felt that there was no need to rush in getting a driver's license. This is because page 74, Rothe states that girls tend to depend on their friends and boyfriends on transportation. Both boys and girls felt obtaining a license is sort of like a rite of passage into adulthood, and would also improve their quality of life - meaning they're able to come and go as they please. 

 

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Comparisons of Other Reports

Everyone in G10 are doing a great job in keeping up with all the assignments. Although, am computer literate and know a little HTML, this has been a tough class for me so far. The assignments requires a lot of your time browsing through pages of web documents and a lot of writing to finish a report.

My report gives a review on what resources are out in the internet on gender and driving. This report, I hope, raises the question of sex being a factor for aggressive driving. If you're going to do a report on this topic, I suggest you do a search in the online generational curriculum and other search engines such as AltaVista and Excite.

Finally, this class proved to have a lot of assignments with only one week to complete--once you're behind it's hard to catch up unless you do an all nighter and become one with your computer like I had to do just to finish my assignments. So my most important suggestion is to do your assignment ahead of time because there's a lot of work to be done!