fisher@dssdev.DEC (Gerry Fisher --- Terminally Inane) (01/14/86)
"Lady" as a sexist term:
-----------------------
[If this discussion gets too crazy, maybe we should take it to another
newsgroup. Here goes...]
To tell you the truth, I'm not sure that I'm correct in labeling this a
sexist term. I've had some nasty fights with friends concerning this,
because this term is generally considered to be a compliment.
I think that people object to the use of the word for the following
reason: "lady" is a term defined by society [still dominated by men]
to describe women who behave properly, as defined by society. This is
a way of oppressing women and limiting what they can and cannot be.
For instance, think of how many admirable traits a woman can possess
that would generally be considered "unladylike": inquisitive behavior,
"aggressive" business dealings, mechanical ability, athletic ability
in certain "male" sports, etc.
I know that many of my male, straight friends use "lady" as a
penultimate term of endearment and they are reluctant to give it up. I
can understand this, but I think that they should find another term.
In closing, I remember a rhyme that my mother would recite
occasionally to my sister: "whistling women and crowing hens/are
neither good for God nor his men." Even at age 10, I couldn't believe
what a stupid saying that was. My sister didn't seem to be any less
of a girl [Yuck. Cudies!] because she whistled. Some fool [probably
male] somewhere along the line decided that men can whistle and women cannot.
To whistle was not "ladylike."
To be fair, "gentleman" would have to be thrown out the window too. Or
perhaps we can replace "lady" with "gentlewoman." What about
"gentleperson." But then again, maybe I've taken too many English
Lit. courses! There's got to be some symbolism in there somewhere! :-)
Gerry Fisher
...decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-dssdev!fisher
***************************************************************************
Nashua, NH: Where the men are men, and the sheep are nervous.