when does a girl become a woman?

Question

My girlfriend says that all females over 18 should be referred to as women or ladies not girls which she says is patronising and a way of putting women down. What do people think - at what age should we stop referring to women as "girls". I suppose I ought to call her my lady friend

Answer 1

when she starts acting like one.

Answer 2

Technically i suppose a girl becomes a woman when she starts her menstrual periods and is able to become a mother. I dont think it is at all patronising to call women ' girls'. I have a night out with my girl friends and we are all 50 or so!

It depends on the circumstances how i would use the word, or whether i would choose another word. For example, if i opened the door and a strange woman was standing there and wanted to speak to someone else i would say 'There's a woman at the door for you'. If she was obviously 30 or less, i would probably say girl.

It all depends doesnt it - good question though!

Answer 3

A girl becomes a woman when she grows up. Some girls grow up when they are in their early teens. Others never do. As to your girlfriend's statement that 'girls' is patronising and a way of putting women down, it depends on who says it and what the context is. In some cases she's right, but in other cases, no. And if you listen in on a group of women in their sixties, you'll find they refer to themselves as 'girls'.
Funny, the word girlfriend has always been associated with a close relationship, but a ladyfriend is something more distant. However, if she'd rather be a ladyfriend than a girlfriend, that's up to her.

Answer 4

When they show lady-like qualities, maturity, sensibility and at least mild wisdom. This is when she's really become a woman. I know a 17-year-old woman and a 20-year-old girl.

Think about what you think when you hear 'girl' compared to when you hear 'woman'. Think about your perception and whether or not you consider her a woman.

She doesn't have to be stupid to still be a girl, she could just not posess the qualities she might do in a few years time.

No matter what age, 'girlfriend' means partner outside of marriage. 'Ladyfriend' means absolutely nothing in today's world, if she really dislikes 'girlfriend'; 'partner' or 'significant other' are suggested by some.

Answer 5

21

Answer 6

It all depends on the female. If they are 18 and act like they are 12 then they're girls. If she's 46 and acts/dresses like she's 20 then there is something wrong with her. Where they are in the whole maturity thing is important.

Answer 7

Girls like to be known as ladies. refering to her as a girl your saying shes still a child so I can see what she means. If she ACTS like a child I can see your point. Talk to her about her feelings.

Answer 8

A girl becomes a lady when she is 21 and she becomes a woman when she has been with a man for the first time....well...you know what I mean!!!!!

Answer 9

When she acts like it! If she doesn't embarrass you in public or whine constantly then, I would say she is a woman. Does she have her affairs inorder(house,check book, pay bills on time, have a job......)? All of those things are what a woman does. Job can be running the home.

Answer 10

If she's still at home with mama and daddy, then maybe she's a "girl" - but if she's out on her own, making her own way in the world, then she's a woman by any definition I understand, regardless of her age.

Answer 11

18/25 yrs is a young lady,
25 upwards is a woman in my eyes