Justine Cassell said that although women are as knowledgeable as men, and as able to defend their point of view, "it is still the case in American society that debate, contention, and vigorous defense of one’s position is often still seen as a male stance, and women’s use of these speech styles can call forth negative evaluations."
Justine Cassell dixo que, aínda que as mulleres sexan tan ben informadas canto os homes e tan capaces canto homes de defender o seu punto de vista, "é aínda o caso na sociedade norteamericana, que o debate, a disputa e a defensa vigorososa dunha posición moitas veces sexan aínda vistos como unha postura masculina, e ese tipo de estilo en mulleres pode suscitar avaliacións negativas."