why do people use the term female when the word they want to use is woman? do these people think it makes them sound sophisticated or do they really think that it is an appropriate application of the word? because it isn't. its disrespectful, tacky, classless, sounds ignorant and it is a misuse of the word.
2007-09-14 06:52:24 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
since some people seem to not be understand my question let me make an example sentence.
"any female i date should know how to cook"
the word here should be woman...
2007-09-14 07:07:13 · update #1
The use of the word female is not disrespectful or tacky in any way...
2007-09-14 07:01:15 · answer #1 · answered by Blue 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I refer to myself as a female instead of a woman all the time. I don't think it sounds any more sophisticated, I simply prefer it.
It is not disrespectful, tacky, classless, doesn't sound ignorant, and is not a misuse of the word.
But, if you are talking about when men say stuff like, "Did you see that female with the sexy red dress on?", or "Look at all these females up in here tonight!", I can see how it would seem rather tacky to some folks.
But seriously, it's nothing to get upset over. just ignore them if they bother you.
Be well.
2007-09-14 07:06:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm unclear how you mean that "female" is being used. You may need to provide an example. The only one I can think of is filling out an application or survey with the check boxes (male or female), and that seems more appropriate than (man or woman) when speaking of gender. Unless you are advocating for a genderless society, which is a very popular mantra these days.
You say "when the word they want to use is woman?" However, I know many people who would find the use of the word "woman" offensive. . . (IE: "What do you want, woman?")
2007-09-14 07:05:34 · answer #3 · answered by truthtalker 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not to make this a racial thing but seems like the people who don't get it are white.
When men use the word "female" 99% of the time it is used in a disrespective way, such as saying women have no business in the work place, are only good for having kids, etc. Rappers and rapper-wannabes primarily use this word in this way, so I agree that it is starting to have a negative connotation. I think it depends on who is saying it and how.
2007-09-14 08:45:46 · answer #4 · answered by SMS 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just using the expression "disrespectful, tacky, classless, sounds ignorant and it is a misuse of the word" does not help your case nor does it prove it.
Female and male are perfectly good words to use especially when referring to women or men of all ages.
The word "women" is actually use more often inappropriately.
2007-09-14 07:06:02 · answer #5 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Female, to me, is a more generic, scientific term, like for animals and people of all ages. Woman, to me, is specific to humans, and is specifically meant for someone who is an adult female human. Otherwise, I would call someone a girl. I see your point, though, because even something like the word fetus bugs me, because it dehumanizes the baby.
2007-09-14 07:02:54 · answer #6 · answered by Me again 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's none of the above, I really don't see what your problem is. I'd rather be referred to as "female" than "woman" personally, as I'd never categorise myself as a woman. I feel too young and inexperienced for that.
There's nothing wrong with it at all, sometimes female fits better.
2007-09-14 07:10:11 · answer #7 · answered by Fröken Fräken 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's probably because there is no informal term for a woman like "guy" for a man...
2007-09-14 07:00:11 · answer #8 · answered by astralpen 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, seeing as how they both mean the same thing, I'm not really all that offended by it. "Silly woman" means the same thing as "silly female".
2007-09-14 08:06:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have a specific example of what you mean? i'm kinda confused.....
2007-09-14 06:59:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋