As an adult female human, I have never been called a “female” in a positive or neutral tone. The key point is that you basically never hear people calling men “males” anywhere outside of scientific discussion.
I accept your experience as valid. However, I do see men and boys being collectively refered to as “males”. I propose that the disparity may be explained by the places we frequent. But I also agree that the “males” noun don’t seem to be used as often. This, coupled with how the “female” noun is used as a slur by misogynists, make it clear to me why women are offended by it, and it’s why I’ve stopped using it.
As an adult female human, I have never been called a “female” in a positive or neutral tone. The key point is that you basically never hear people calling men “males” anywhere outside of scientific discussion.
I accept your experience as valid. However, I do see men and boys being collectively refered to as “males”. I propose that the disparity may be explained by the places we frequent. But I also agree that the “males” noun don’t seem to be used as often. This, coupled with how the “female” noun is used as a slur by misogynists, make it clear to me why women are offended by it, and it’s why I’ve stopped using it.