Understanding Gender Differences on Motivations and Literary and Linguistic Devices in Graffiti

Abstract

This study determined the use of graffiti in the restrooms, also called as latrinalia, in higher educational institutions. Further, this study determined the motives (Mass and Reflexive Communication, and Categorical and Individual Communication) behind the use of graffiti and the literary and linguistic styles between males and females. It utilized the gendered and motivational approaches to determine the motives between men and women in producing graffiti as well as the linguistic approach to determine the literary and linguistic devices. Photo-documentation was utilized to obtain the needed data. In terms of mass and reflexive communication, results revealed that both male and female graffiti were about expressions of their existence as proof and pleasure in aesthetic, creative and physical acts and boredom, but female graffiti were more about expression of oneself and documentation of group membership than male graffiti. In terms of categorical and individual communication, expressions of criticism and protest were more observed in female than male graffiti. While female graffiti contained writings about rejection and agreement/disagreement, male graffiti contained writings about search for contacts. Women made use of more literary and linguistic devices than males.