LANGUAGE AND GENDER: INVESTIGATING AGE-BASED TOPIC VARIATIONS AMONG FEMALES

Abstract

This exploratory study examines female conversational themes across different age groups, uncovering how priorities and roles evolve over a woman’s lifetime. Conversations during childhood and adolescence center on friends, school, and hobbies, reflecting the importance of identity-building and peer connections. In early adulthood, topics shift to education, career, and romantic relationships, highlighting self-discovery and autonomy. Middle adulthood focuses on balancing responsibilities, with career development, family, and health becoming central concerns. Later adulthood and old age introduce themes of personal fulfillment, spirituality, legacy-building, health, and community involvement, often marked by a reflective tone on life’s achievements. The analysis reveals distinct patterns: lifestyle and entertainment topics like social media, beauty, and fashion dominate younger age groups (11–20 and 21–30), emphasizing trends, self-expression, and influencer culture. Professional growth and education also peak during this stage, while interest in activism and spirituality remains minimal. In middle adulthood (31–40), conversations demonstrate a shift to career stability, health, and personal relationships, with less focus on lifestyle or recreational topics. Older age groups (41–60) show a growing emphasis on health, mental well-being, food, spirituality, and parenting, with diminished interest in modern trends like social media or pop culture. These conversational shifts reflect broader life stage priorities, influenced by cultural norms, technological advancements, and individual experiences. By analyzing the topics discussed within age-specific conversational circles, this study sheds light on the challenges, aspirations, and evolving dynamics of women’s lives, providing valuable insights for gender studies, sociolinguistics, social psychology, and discourse analysis. Female communication emerges as a rich site for exploring how societal expectations and individual trajectories intersect, offering a nuanced understanding of how women navigate identity, relationships, and societal roles across different phases of life.