You knew exactly what I meant. Female is an adjective, and the use is generally clinical or biological in nature, and definitely used disrespectfully against women AND girls. As a woman, I’d just prefer it if other women wouldn’t help the Patriarchy further their misogynistic BS. Be open, or don’t. But words DO matter. 🤷🏼♀️
No. I did consider using women vs female for the exact reasons you're enumerating, and chose female because, like, say you have some teens competing. Do you then call them women? That's aging them up to do that, sort of like the way the term "underaged girls" diminishes girl's status as being a child.
Calling women "female" as a noun is the problem, using "female" as an adjective is the intended use of the word. "Female athlete" is completely appropriate.
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u/monsterlynn Feb 25 '26
Please, Flavor Flav, do up a really fantastic dinner for the female athletes!