For me it used to be a holdover from military service.
No idea why but everyone on base used “male/female” instead of men/women.
I can only think of a Ferengi from star trek whenever I hear “female” and when my spouse and I hear it I always look at them and do that hand thing where they tap their fingers together.
No idea why but everyone on base used “male/female” instead of men/women.
Maybe to imply that there are no men or women (gender constructs) on base? As in there are soldiers with penises, and soldiers with vaginas, but they’re all just soldiers. Idk, just a guess.
Male/female is only weird if you make it weird. Female is easier to type and say than “women/girls”. People have imposed this interesting dynamic about how men look at women or talk about women (and girl childs) that sometimes female might be the best word in some context. It’s not some obscure word, it’s commonly understood. Just let it go and don’t feed into the weirdness.
Unless you are also using males don’t use the word females (and vice versa). That is what I would recommend to not seem too disrespectful, even then be careful to avoid being dehumanizing.
I personally tend to use variations of (fe)male identifying people. But I rarely talk about people of the same gender at all ages. That seems like something that isn’t that common though. If that is your justification for using the words females/males just be sure not to use it in other contexts.
Just kind of pointing out that the propagation of ideas that look down on people for using inoffensive words doesn’t really help anything. I’m not perfect and would never claim to be, but male and female are words that have been around and used my entire life inoffensively. I occasionally use the word female and I even feel weird about it afterwards because of this strange association, and then I feel mildly annoyed that I even think about it. For what it’s worth, I will even occasionally use the word male to describe a male
I definitely get the pointing out of using the word female to describe women by misogynists and incels, but I wouldn’t have even thought of the word being used in that manner when I read this post which is why I even commented on it in the first place.
ideas that look down on people for using inoffensive words doesn’t really help anything.
I think the point is that you as an individual do not get to decide what is and isn’t an offensive word. No word is inherently offensive, it’s the historical and social context that creates the negativity.
but male and female are words that have been around and used my entire life inoffensively
Have ever talked to a person older than 65 about the N word, because I’ve heard people make the same exact claim.
I even feel weird about it afterwards because of this strange association, and then I feel mildly annoyed that I even think about it.
Wow… You are so close to emotionally evolving into a better more empathetic person.
but I wouldn’t have even thought of the word being used in that manner when I read this post which is why I even commented on it in the first place.
Because you haven’t ever been objectified and demeaned because of your gender. That is the privilege of being a dude, we are not inherently judged as lesser than solely for our reproductive organs. If it had happened to you a bunch in the past you might be a little more sensitive to it.
Well okay. I guess this is pretty emotionally charged for a bunch of people and I apologize to all of you. I do think that comparing the word female to the “n word” is excessively overdramatic. And the word female is still not offensive to the general population no matter what you or I may think. It’s apparently offensive to social justice warriors like yourself (thank you for the downvotes I guess) and hey that’s okay because I’m not one to judge even if I do ultimately judge. What you think about me doesn’t matter I still know what person I am. And hey I am over 50 so I know what that n word usage was like; I’ll tell you right now it was offensive then and it has remained offensive.
Perhaps you should reprioritize some things in your psyche if you think that the word female is in any way on par with the n-word.
You are correct. I don’t know what it’s like to be a woman nor to be objectified cuz to be candid I’m pretty average and there aren’t many people that are going to objectify me. But I’ll continue to think you and people like you are part of the problem by giving weight to the idea that this is an offensive word.
Peace out my brother or sister whether you’re male or female, binary or undecided. I’m sure I didn’t change your mind and I’m sure you didn’t change my mind.
I do think that comparing the word female to the “n word” is excessively overdramatic. And the word female is still not offensive to the general population no matter what you or I may think.
My point wasn’t trying to make you feel like you said the N word, just to give you an example of how the use of words evolve over time. 50-60 years ago the N word was not offensive to the general public, it was just how most white people described black people. However, partly due to the civil rights movement and how people of color fought to humanize themselves in the eyes of others, the word became more vitriolic.
It’s apparently offensive to social justice warriors like yourself (thank you for the downvotes I guess) and hey that’s okay because I’m not one to judge even if I do ultimately judge.
Lol, I would hardly call myself a social justice warrior because I empathize with the feelings of half of the human race. It’s just called being polite.
What you think about me doesn’t matter I still know what person I am
I’m sure most bigots think the same exact thing.
over 50 so I know what that n word usage was like; I’ll tell you right now it was offensive then and it has remained offensive.
Again, I’m talking about the usage before the civil rights, which was still before your time.
psyche if you think that the word female is in any way on par with the n-word.
I can tell you have issues with your reading comprehension, might want to get that figured out old man.
people like you are part of the problem by giving weight to the idea that this is an offensive word.
It’s the people being offended who are to blame, not me the simple bigot!
I didn’t change your mind and I’m sure you didn’t change my mind.
Yeah, old dog, new tricks…
I feel like you’re kind of a dick lul
And I feel you have severely divorced sad man energy. Have fun not being on speaking terms with your family.
It’s pretty simple. Male/female are adjectives and man/woman are nouns. Referring to a person as an adjective that describes them is generally not a great look because it reduces the person to that one characteristic about them.
[Correct] Women who go shopping are female shoppers.
[Incorrect] Females who go shopping are woman shoppers.
It can be an honest mistake, but it’s used deliberately enough to warrant the side-eye, especially when people stand up to defend it. Some people do get a little weird about ANY usage of the word female, correct or not, but this is not one of those scenarios.
To add to that, they are adjectives that can strip away someone’s humanity. Animals are described as male and female, for example “that’s a female rat”. While humans can be described with noun adjuncts like “they are a human woman”.
Imo female and male should only really be utilized in a medical or scientific description.
Massive side-eye for anyone referring to women/girls as “females”…
“Men’s bathrooms”
“Female toilets”
None of your business. If a toilet identifies as female, it’s a female toilet, end of story.
For me it used to be a holdover from military service.
No idea why but everyone on base used “male/female” instead of men/women.
I can only think of a Ferengi from star trek whenever I hear “female” and when my spouse and I hear it I always look at them and do that hand thing where they tap their fingers together.
Maybe to imply that there are no men or women (gender constructs) on base? As in there are soldiers with penises, and soldiers with vaginas, but they’re all just soldiers. Idk, just a guess.
Male/female is only weird if you make it weird. Female is easier to type and say than “women/girls”. People have imposed this interesting dynamic about how men look at women or talk about women (and girl childs) that sometimes female might be the best word in some context. It’s not some obscure word, it’s commonly understood. Just let it go and don’t feed into the weirdness.
Unless you are also using males don’t use the word females (and vice versa). That is what I would recommend to not seem too disrespectful, even then be careful to avoid being dehumanizing.
I personally tend to use variations of (fe)male identifying people. But I rarely talk about people of the same gender at all ages. That seems like something that isn’t that common though. If that is your justification for using the words females/males just be sure not to use it in other contexts.
Side eying you now
I don’t care I guess? I know what I’m about.
Just kind of pointing out that the propagation of ideas that look down on people for using inoffensive words doesn’t really help anything. I’m not perfect and would never claim to be, but male and female are words that have been around and used my entire life inoffensively. I occasionally use the word female and I even feel weird about it afterwards because of this strange association, and then I feel mildly annoyed that I even think about it. For what it’s worth, I will even occasionally use the word male to describe a male
I definitely get the pointing out of using the word female to describe women by misogynists and incels, but I wouldn’t have even thought of the word being used in that manner when I read this post which is why I even commented on it in the first place.
I think the point is that you as an individual do not get to decide what is and isn’t an offensive word. No word is inherently offensive, it’s the historical and social context that creates the negativity.
Have ever talked to a person older than 65 about the N word, because I’ve heard people make the same exact claim.
Wow… You are so close to emotionally evolving into a better more empathetic person.
Because you haven’t ever been objectified and demeaned because of your gender. That is the privilege of being a dude, we are not inherently judged as lesser than solely for our reproductive organs. If it had happened to you a bunch in the past you might be a little more sensitive to it.
Well okay. I guess this is pretty emotionally charged for a bunch of people and I apologize to all of you. I do think that comparing the word female to the “n word” is excessively overdramatic. And the word female is still not offensive to the general population no matter what you or I may think. It’s apparently offensive to social justice warriors like yourself (thank you for the downvotes I guess) and hey that’s okay because I’m not one to judge even if I do ultimately judge. What you think about me doesn’t matter I still know what person I am. And hey I am over 50 so I know what that n word usage was like; I’ll tell you right now it was offensive then and it has remained offensive.
Perhaps you should reprioritize some things in your psyche if you think that the word female is in any way on par with the n-word.
You are correct. I don’t know what it’s like to be a woman nor to be objectified cuz to be candid I’m pretty average and there aren’t many people that are going to objectify me. But I’ll continue to think you and people like you are part of the problem by giving weight to the idea that this is an offensive word.
Peace out my brother or sister whether you’re male or female, binary or undecided. I’m sure I didn’t change your mind and I’m sure you didn’t change my mind.
Edit: also I feel like you’re kind of a dick lul
Youre protesting way too much. Like its your life’s goal to call women female. Its just sus.
My point wasn’t trying to make you feel like you said the N word, just to give you an example of how the use of words evolve over time. 50-60 years ago the N word was not offensive to the general public, it was just how most white people described black people. However, partly due to the civil rights movement and how people of color fought to humanize themselves in the eyes of others, the word became more vitriolic.
Lol, I would hardly call myself a social justice warrior because I empathize with the feelings of half of the human race. It’s just called being polite.
I’m sure most bigots think the same exact thing.
Again, I’m talking about the usage before the civil rights, which was still before your time.
I can tell you have issues with your reading comprehension, might want to get that figured out old man.
It’s the people being offended who are to blame, not me the simple bigot!
Yeah, old dog, new tricks…
And I feel you have severely divorced sad man energy. Have fun not being on speaking terms with your family.
It’s pretty simple. Male/female are adjectives and man/woman are nouns. Referring to a person as an adjective that describes them is generally not a great look because it reduces the person to that one characteristic about them.
[Correct] Women who go shopping are female shoppers.
[Incorrect] Females who go shopping are woman shoppers.
It can be an honest mistake, but it’s used deliberately enough to warrant the side-eye, especially when people stand up to defend it. Some people do get a little weird about ANY usage of the word female, correct or not, but this is not one of those scenarios.
To add to that, they are adjectives that can strip away someone’s humanity. Animals are described as male and female, for example “that’s a female rat”. While humans can be described with noun adjuncts like “they are a human woman”.
Imo female and male should only really be utilized in a medical or scientific description.
Hope no one ever slips up and calls you a homosaipan.
And how would that dehumanize me?
Animals are called by their species.
You having to ask proved my point, though.
Couldn’t have worked more perfectly.
No shit…When did I ever claim it was dehumanizing to be called a homosapien?
I specifically said that when utilizing scientific language it’s appropriate to say something like homosapien females.
Refusing to understand isnt the same as being right.
If all the nice people are saying women and all the disgusting people are saying females, that makes it easy for me to choose what to say.