Critique: Self-Disclosure, Gender and Communication

In the article, "Can We Talk?" the writer tells us that the best way to stay in a happy

marriage is communication and the best way to communicate is by talking to each other. She

goes on to say that the right kind of communication is important. It is especially important to

make sure that when you communicate, don't just say things like, "who will pick up the kids, pay

the bills or call the grandparents." (Schoenberg, 2011)

I'm happy to say that the communication between me and my husband has always been

better than just asking marital questions. We do have our disagreements but one this is for sure;

we always make sure that we talk things out and have a good and open discussion on whatever

topic. When we first got together, we had no problem opening up about whom we were and

family history. The textbook states that self-disclosure is the "act of sharing aspects of yourself

with other people" (Sole, 2011)

I have seen elderly people who have been together for fifty years or more and they are

more than happy to just sit together and every once in a while touch the other's hand or look up

and smile at the other. My great, great aunt and uncle were a perfect example. They were eighy-

years old when I was in high school and I can remember going over to their house and laughing

at how my uncle never turned his hearing aid up and my aunt had her hearing aid to high and

would yell at each other because my uncle couldn't hear her. In the end, my aunt had to go into

a nursing home and my uncle followed because they couldn't be apart.

I believe a happy marriage is what is most comfortable for that couple, whether it be just

a smile while reading a book and watching television or a good and honest debate on a topic; it's

whatever makes that couple happy.