Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Whisp

(24,096 posts)
8. this is my understanding of the 3 words for women:
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 12:47 PM
Jan 2013

girls: obvious that girls is meant to demean a grown woman and place her in a child's role compared to the male adult role.

ladies: I don't find this particularly bad in this day and age because I think to an extent, this word has been refurbished and renovated to become something different but historically I think it meant that if you were a lady you would never challenge a man in conversation or anything else. You must speak softly and always bow to others. And look purdy, you got to look and smell nice.

women: I think why this is/has been avoided as the proper term to use is the word 'woman' means she is a sexual adult that can think for herself. She is not the child girl nor the whimpery whispery lady, she can yell, she can get angry besides all the other normal human emotions and reactions we all have. Woman is as equal as possible with the language we have and that is why some men feel uncomfortable with it.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I see Ladies in the pic of the soldiers.... CherokeeDem Jan 2013 #1
we are talking about a level playing field here, and i think the term matters, toward that goal. seabeyond Jan 2013 #2
I always thought that it's a respectful, polite term for (a) women. Mosby Jan 2013 #3
i am glad you do not call women, girls. that is good. personally, seabeyond Jan 2013 #4
You out of all the words used to describe women ismnotwasm Jan 2013 #5
as i was typing that post, i was thinking just that. seabeyond Jan 2013 #6
this is my understanding of the 3 words for women: Whisp Jan 2013 #8
you said it well. nt seabeyond Jan 2013 #9
doesn't bother me too much. Whisp Jan 2013 #7
Yes I can One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #10
everything about them says... woman. none of it says "lady". that is the point. thank you seabeyond Jan 2013 #11
Guess I am old fashioned One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #13
why would you have an objection to use woman? why do you feel that "lady" is a greater compliment seabeyond Jan 2013 #14
May be my age One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #15
do you feel the same with man? do men not embrace the term? from the youngest of age seabeyond Jan 2013 #16
Man vs Gentleman One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #17
again, this post shows the difference. you cannot say, no... a gentlemen. because man is too seabeyond Jan 2013 #18
You are correct One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #19
I adore that picture ismnotwasm Jan 2013 #12
I always thought lady/ladies was a more formal term for woman/women. CrispyQ Jan 2013 #20
I don't hate the word, but it needs to have a very particular context redqueen Jan 2013 #21
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»History of Feminism»LMAO... you know what i ...»Reply #8