• KimiNoJohn@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    What’s wrong with using the term female? I really don’t know but I’ve heard that you shouldn’t do it

    • dreadgoat@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      It can be dehumanizing since “female” could refer to any sexual creature, not necessarily a human being.

      So in the context of biology, female is appropriate. We may be talking about the properties of ovaries, the effects of high estrogen, the process of pregnancy and childbirth. We may be talking about human females, but potentially also just females in general.

      But in the context of people, female is inappropriate, and it is better to use terms that affirm the subject is human: woman; girl; lady. A woman is (usually) a female, but a female isn’t always a woman, isn’t always a human, and so by referring to women as “female” you subtly suggest that their humanity is absent or unimportant.

      • KimiNoJohn@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Just checked the definitions and read some articles on the internet. Thanks I understand now.

    • Hextic@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      “female protagonist” good

      “I talked to a female today” bad

      Short version but depends if you’re talking about a specific person(s) or describing the person.

    • Doug [he/him]@midwest.social
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      1 year ago

      Nothing or a lot depending on use.

      If it’s being used where “male” could/would be used all is well.

      If not it’s often dehumanizing.

    • Nima@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      In my opinion, it’s more of a lab type word when talking about biology or anatomy.

      But it’s not actually all that offensive. Women have so many negative terms used to describe us already. Female can stay neutral. And I will continue to use it.

      People give way too much power to small vocal minorities. Don’t let incel neckbeards make another negative term to describe our sex.

    • Uno@monyet.cc
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      1 year ago

      It has the potential to be dehumanizing if used as a noun, because it’s usually a scientific word reserved for non-human animals.

      Moreover, it’s use is often considered sexist because people will write messages such as “men and females” showcasing a double standard in which male people are deserving of enough respect and humanity to stray away from the scientific “males” whereas female people are not.

      Generally, accepted usage of “female” includes the following

      • as an adjective (ex: my female supervisor)
      • if you also use “male” as a noun
      • non-human animals
      • military settings & forms
    • SirSerSur@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Simply put, it implies a lack of regard towards the subject as human. Saying «Female» over «Woman», «Lady» or «Girl» invokes images of animals rather than humans.

      Same goes for men, but its a lot more uncommon and sometimes actually a positive, as «Male» invokes virility. Its honestly a weird double standard.