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[–]jkfinn 15 insightful - 1 fun15 insightful - 0 fun16 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

In my experience (ex college teach etc) men and some women avoid the word "women." Lots of male students write "woman" but not "women," even when referring to the plural, because "women" to them denotes feminism. Some men--and now many women, call women "ladies," (an address that the 20thc almost unanimously rejected). "females," "girls" or "guys" as in "you'se guys." But men continue to shun the word "women" except when compelled by rare circumstance. (of course, we're leaving the countless list of derogatory epithets for women here)

[–]Calliope 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I use the word "women" if I'm writing, but even though I'm not crazy about the words "lady" or "ladies" I tend to say it. Probably because I call men, especially if it's someone I know, "guys" and "lady" seems similarly informal to me. I kind of wish there was a better word, something that sounds informal like "guys" but doesn't have some negative connotations (like "ladylike behavior") like "ladies." There's "girls" and "gals" and I know some adult women like calling each other those, it doesn't feel right to me though. I'm aware some of this could be internalized misogyny I can work on. I'm an autistic woman and grew up with some very negative experiences with female friends.

I say both "male" and "female" for things like "female perspective," and "female gender norms." Or "female scientist", "female doctor,", things like that. I wouldn't say something like "a group of females" or "This female I saw at the store." Do people talk like that? I haven't heard that but if people really talk like that that's disgusting. I'd only think that was acceptable if I was talking about female animals.