ABSTRACT
The chapter contains three cases that construct gender and culture in our relationships. It focuses on interaction and relationships as central in the process of identity formation and negotiation, the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) provides a useful theoretical framework. CTI considers identity to consist of four layers or frames personal, enacted, relational, communal which messages are exchanged. The personal layer references identity as an individual characteristic while the enacted layer of identity is embodied in social interactions through an individual's presentation of identity. The relationship layer frames aspects of identity that are invested in social and personal relationships. Finally, the communal layer references the idea of identity as group-based identification. CTI argues that communities hold collective identities in addition to individual identities. This can be especially true if you define culture as based on group membership such as gender, race, ethnic background, and relationship status.
