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Is "female" offensive? (lemmy.world)

submitted 9 months ago by Trincapinones@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I am not a native English speaker and I have sometimes referred to people as male and female (as that is what I have been taught) but I have received some backlash in some cases, especially for the word "female", is there some negative thought in the word which I am unaware of?

I don't know if this is the best place to ask, if it's not appropriate I have no problem to delete it ^^

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[–] gramie@lemmy.ca 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

One place where it makes sense to use the word female as a noun is when an individual word like "woman" doesn't work. For instance, if there are girls and women together, neither "women" nor "girls" is appropriate. In that case, I think "female" is the only option. I'd be happy to hear if anyone has an alternative.

[–] CiderApplenTea@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)

In that case I still try to avoid "females", instead I prefer using "ladies" or just "women", even if there are girls present.

[–] arin@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Even if the girls are toddlers?

[–] Zahille7@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Just say "ladies" at that point.

It's not like it's hard to do.

[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Ok but what if they don't hold any land or titles?