Q for the women: Is "females" in place of "women" demeaning to you?

If someone were to refer, say just in a casual context / discussion, to women as "females" or men as "males," would you find that demeaning in any way? Would it seem bizarre or out of place to you?

The more opinions I can get on this the better.

 

Not at all. I think the term "Lady" implies a bit more, but "female" and "woman" are pretty much synonymous in my eyes. When the 3rd gender comes into question then it's a bit more specific as to what they prefer to be called.

 

Nope. The only thing is in regards to transgenders/ gender identity. Also, 'females' can include girls of all ages, not just adult women, and also can refer to other animals since they aren't typically referred to as women.
I think using the term "female" in place of "woman" or "male" in place of "man" in day-to-day conversation might sound a little awkward.

 

You're right. I guess "Woman" is distinguished by age and species.

 

When I hear this, I hear someone who's afraid to use any word with any connotations at all, because connotations might offend. For instance, some women don't like the word "woman" because they see it as an extension of the word "man" (wo-MAN). So people go for the most abstract, scientific terms possible; they call men "males" and women "females"; they talk about human beings like lab animals in order to avoid political incorrectness. This kind of thing is killing language and communication.

 

Yeah, but "female" is an extension of "male"... Doesn't quite solve the problem
I think it should just be a spelling change- why not spell 'woman' as 'wumyn'? :2thumbsup:

 

Nope.

 

Because it fucks up the etymology of the word; because it becomes awkward to use different forms of the word; because a word like that could never be standardized across the whole language; and finally, because it's just not necessary. There's no "discrimination" involved. Perhaps "man" is discriminatory, since it looks like just a shortened form of "woman." It's just nitpicking the language for lack of anything better to do.

And male/female is preferred, I think, because it sounds more scientific, more "objective," and thus less discriminatory. This is, of course, a warped way of looking at it...

 

Gals. My Nana always says "I had a good gab with all the gals at the luncheon yesterday". Gals is a good equivalent. It sounds friendly.

 

X is the female chromosome, so men, being XY are half female anyway. Men are half woman. Bet that goes over like a fart in church if you tell 'em that though

I do not find female to be offensive, but it is awkward. I was briefly in the navy, and in doing watch in the barracks only one floor was female. On every other floor I had to call "female on deck" upon opening the door or stepping off the elevator. Same went for men on watch when they entered female territory. I think neutering language with political correctnes is DOUBLEPLUSUNGOOD, if you know what I mean

 

I dont mind it.. I never really think of it to be honest, I don't like the term 'bird' though that some men use in reference to their woman partner.

 

Nope, no terms used to refer to women offend me. Usually there's a good reason that a particular word is used.....even the **** word.

 

Why would the term "female" be offensive or demeaning? It's not like slang or anything. In casual conversation, whether I use the word "woman" or "female" would depend on context. I'm more likely to refer to a person as a man or woman (e.g. 'Did you ask the woman over there?'). However, I'm more likely to use male or female as a descriptor (e.g. 'She was having female issues.'). Still, if someone were to say something like, 'I can't believe how many females are here,' it would sound unusual, but certainly not offensive.

 

tell me which one sounds more demeaning


women should never have been given the vote

females should never have been given the vote


ok bad example..but you get it,right?