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We Have Finally Reached Consensus on “Ladies”

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN GENTLES ALL:

Did you know that some people do not like to be called ladies?

1ladies

I know, I know. You thought it was just a polite way to address women. You heard women don’t like to be called females or girls!

satc

You’re right. For some women, “ladies” is a charming, even an empowering, term. For others, it’s condescending and limiting, enforcing stereotypes about women’s weakness and social codes prescribing ladylike behavior; plus, its use very often involves making assumptions about a person’s gender, assumptions that may be incorrect. Not even feminists can agree if it’s a word we want to use!

misandry

I asked some pals (I did a pal-poll) how they felt about this important topic. I also interviewed myself. Continue reading

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