Why do grown women (even those in their forties and fifties, like on the "Real Housewives shows)insist on referring to themselves as "girls" all the time? do they think "woman" is a dirty word?
Hmm, they want to believe they are younger than they really are?
Women usually refer to themselves as girls when they want to be viewed less seriously. Girl carries greater sex appeal than the word woman. It presents less of a threat to men. A girl is someone who laughs at your jokes, looks pretty, parties with you and your friends and gives you a big, wet kiss good night.
A woman is someone who takes all of your favorite fashion fau pax's out of your dresser and secretly burns them while you're at a pool tournament because she's tired of you embarassing her in public.
Because our society fetishizes youth, especially in women. Being a "girl" carries connotations of attractiveness and sexual appeal, while "women" is more often used (outside of an official capacity) to imply someone is over the hill, or undesirable in some way.
I have to deal with this a lot at work. It's part and parcel to the whole package, which includes baby voices, getting 'offended' when men respond to their flirting, yada yada. It's insecurity. They have a need to remind themselves that they're still young and desirable. It would be nice if they could see themselves as more than a piece of meat but like they say, 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks'. (and before anyone gets offended, I'm in the same age group. So I can call it like I see it)
This is all very fascinating and enlightening. So what I'm gathering is that to a LOT of people, woman IS sort of a dirty word (especially to that guy who answered up there.....) that's a shame, though. MAN is not a dirty word, right? Unless it's a dirty old man, but that's something different! I mean the word MAN in general! Why can't woman mean someone who is sexually mature, but in a GOOD way - and also someone who likes to flirt and party and give a big wet kiss, but just happens to be over the age of 21? I guess it's society, like you say! thanks for replying! Or..keep replying..this is interesting!
You noticed the man thing too? I found when I call a man a boy, after he's called me a girl, it never ends well. You're right though. Women should celebrate the fact that they are mature, experienced and wiser than they were. I'm sure most men in the age group do too, on some levels, if they take the time to think.
...i am one of those that prefers to be referred to as a woman and not a girl...i feel the same about using the word men and not boys....i find girl does not describe me...i'm not a girl - i was.....
...sometimes I may joke around and say gurrrl - but that's when i'm teasing - otherwise I'm a woman....roooooaaaarrrr!
...and if I run into the word girl/boy in my work environment i correct it...unless of course someone is a girl/boy.
Give us a break, girls! Who wants to be an old woman? Really.
Old girl sounds ... better?
by Dawn Michael 14 years ago
Some men just like to date some women for fun and then others they want to marry, what is the difference between the two.
by Christin Sander 10 years ago
What makes some women attack other women in powerful positions based solely on their appearance?As women, we have come a long way, but I fear we have taken for granted just how much other women sacrificed so that today a female can even occupy a position of power. I'm no Hillary Clinton fan...
by Grace Marguerite Williams 9 years ago
What makes homely and plain women be considered the very last resort for men?
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Why is it men don't pick up on subtle hints from women?They do, but they ignore them? They don't really listen? They don't care? Or women really have to be straight forward at the risk of injuring some of men's feelings, which usually women are trying to avoid by giving the subtle hints?
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How Do Ugly Guys Get Gorgeous Girlfriends?
by Vince Alvino 9 years ago
With feminism and equal rights should the man still pay for outing and open doors?
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