"woman" as opposed to "female"...???

**Catty1** · 03-12-2007, 11:42 PM

Yes, seems to me that "female" is a noun as well.

But I DO disagree with the word "woman" being used as an adjective - on the airwaves here and in print, it is all too common.

Even on our own public broadcaster!

**Scooter's Mom** · 03-13-2007, 12:03 AM

How about...
As long as you can have children you're a woman. Soon as something happens and you can't... you're merely female.

Personal experience speaking. There really is a big difference.

**columbine** · 03-13-2007, 12:30 AM

As a noun, "female" isn't very precise. It could refer to a goose, bitch, cow, blossom, or connector.

"Woman" is an adult female human, and how adult female humans in their 20s and 30s refer to each other ("women's poker night.") "Girl" is the preferred term among women in their 40s and above ("going fishing with the girls.") Nobody knows why this is.

"Woman" as an adjective is usually used to designate a noun that isn't culturally associated with women ("woman president," "woman astronaut," "woman physicist.") Laika was a female astronaut. Just goes to show you, if you're female, you have to be really careful in your career choice.

Love, Columbine

**finn's mom** · 03-13-2007, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Scooter's Mom

How about...
As long as you can have children you're a woman. Soon as something happens and you can't... you're merely female.

Personal experience speaking. There really is a big difference.

Really? I think it depends on the woman's own feelings on the subject. I have a couple of girlfriends who can't have children and they feel no less like a woman than before discovering that unfortunate news. Upon first reading your comment, I thought "wow, that's rude", but I read it a couple more times and realize now what it might mean. I am truly sorry that you feel that way.

My take...I don't care either way. Any word can be offensive or derogatory if used in such a fashion. Depends on the context and the intent. I have a few friends who are offended by "female" and I just never picked up on that being an offensive term. I never thought of it as only being used as an adjective, though.