Multiculturalism takes on a broader definition in this intercultural communication paper. All groups which exert influence on an individual's way of thinking are classified as cultures. An overview of intergender communication offers insights into women's history and ways patriarchal forces have shaped gender roles. A discussion of General Semantics principles is applied to intercultural communication as a tool to assist people in learning to understand and respect the other. Influences of religion/politics, business/workplace, education, and technology control what is available to each gender. It is suggested that a knowledge of general semantics principles and an application of sympathetic-communication may lessen violence perpetrated by one culture upon another. Contains 40 references. (Author/RS)