Ladies only, please?

Question

Do you have any problems with being called or referred to as a female? I'm not talking about using the word as an adjective, but as a noun. For some reason, it just galls me to no end. Rats, bats and cockroaches are females; I prefer person, woman or lady. It's a picky little thing, I know, just a pet peeve. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

It doesn't really bother me. But if I think about it I kinda see what you mean. Female makes you sound like an object not a decent human being.

Answer 2

It is quite nit-picky, and you must understand that anyone that works in an office, whether it be government, Doctors or Dentists offices, or any other field, deals with paperwork and customer service on a level that requires that they articulate that a subject is male or female- not are they a man or a woman.

Often when the reference is made to whether someone is a man or woman, people tend to think they are being treated differently if they are one or the other- even if they really aren't- if that makes sense...

The terms male or female are more scientific, less objectionable terms in general. Not meant to be friendly terms, but they do serve a purpose in paperwork and legalities and when you do something at work for 8-12 hours a day, it is hard to just lose the habit of using these terms when talking to or about people.

Answer 3

Depends on the context. It's not personal if it's a medical discussion, "white female. . ." or a statistical comment. I don't like gender being brought up in social discussions, unless it's for a good reason. I'm more than a lady, wife, girl, ma'am, miss. People use these terms to state what you are versus who you are.
People use gender designation to assign social roles and they aren't necessarily accurate. They come across as light banter, but they reinforce myths and prejudices, eventually influencing how we treat each other. As in making jokes about women being bad with cars, men being too arrogant to ask for directions. Even so called compliments about "ladies" are often patronizing and diminutive.
I prefer "person", or call me by my name.

Answer 4

I just feel that it is a scientific term, and should only be used that way. I mean, for instance, in Anatomy class, you have to say "the female reproductive system" you can't say "a woman's reproductive system". But I dont like it when a guy says "Well, youre just that way because youre a female".

Answer 5

I guess I don't mind it. Never thought about it. But I do appreciate you asking the question, because I never even knew that some women had a problem with that. It makes me wonder what other terms or phrases that people might take offense to.

Answer 6

As long as it is not being used derogatory towards women. Like when there is a wreck and someone says, oh that must be woman driver, stupid stuff like that. I prefer being called a lady if I had to choose.

Answer 7

I don't mind if it's in reference to gender (like on forms or censuses) but definitely prefer Lady, Woman or Girl - Person is ideal to me if you don't need to be gender specific.

The ones i do hate to be called are, bird or chick - I don't have feathers and a beak after all!

Answer 8

I can understand what you mean. Female is often used to sound degrading. Its the tone. How its become a negative thing I will never know. I prefer to be called by my name.

Answer 9

No, I don't have an issue with it.

It's a descriptive terms that fits, not all females are women and not all females are ladies.....at least in the social sense.
But we are all female.

If I ever heard anyone refering to anyone else as a "person" I'd consider it, and them, odd.

Answer 10

I don't mind being called Female, but I do mind if I'm called a "Broad" or a "Chick"