Simply put, it’s rude and it’s weird.
1. Because the words “female” and “woman” mean different things.
“Female” is a scientific term that refers to the sex of a species that is capable of producing children. The term “woman” refers specifically to human beings, while “female” could refer to any species.
2. Because reducing a woman to her reproductive abilities is
dehumanizing and exclusionary.
When you refer to a woman as a female, you’re ignoring the fact
that she is a female human. It reduces a woman to her reproductive
parts and abilities.
Also, not all women are biologically female, and the conflation
of “female” to “woman” erases gender-nonconforming people
and members of the trans community.
3. Because nobody ever refers to men as “males.”
“You know how males are,” said literally no one ever.
4. Because it is most often used to imply inferiority or contempt.
stopdropcouture.tumblr.com
Not always, but often. And it’s typically when “female” is used as
a noun (i.e., “Females are the worst!”). Here’s a fun exercise:
Search the word “females” on Twitter and see what you get.
5. Because it’s grammatically weird.
ebengregory.com
The word “female,” in its primary usage, is an adjective. When
you use “female” as a noun, the subject that you’re referring
to is erased.
For example:
“I talked to a female yesterday.”
A female what? A female kangaroo? A female rock snake? The
subject of the sentence is not clear.
“I talked to a female presidential candidate yesterday.”
This sentence is now about a human being.
It should be noted, though, that using “female” as an adjective can take a sexist turn when used in a case that isn’t notable. Referencing a “female firefighter,” for example, is appropriate only when her being female is pertinent to the story; otherwise, she’s just a firefighter. But if you’re talking about the first woman to become a firefighter, saying “the first female firefighter” is acceptable because her gender is relevant.
For more information on the appropriate grammatical uses of “female” and “woman,” click here.
6. And most importantly, because the word you’re looking for already exists.
dormiodiatodo.tumblr.com
That word is “women.”
1. Because the words “female” and “woman” mean different things.
“Female” is a scientific term that refers to the sex of a species that is capable of producing children. The term “woman” refers specifically to human beings, while “female” could refer to any species.
2. Because reducing a woman to her reproductive abilities is
dehumanizing and exclusionary.
When you refer to a woman as a female, you’re ignoring the fact
that she is a female human. It reduces a woman to her reproductive
parts and abilities.
Also, not all women are biologically female, and the conflation
of “female” to “woman” erases gender-nonconforming people
and members of the trans community.
3. Because nobody ever refers to men as “males.”
“You know how males are,” said literally no one ever.
4. Because it is most often used to imply inferiority or contempt.
stopdropcouture.tumblr.com
Not always, but often. And it’s typically when “female” is used as
a noun (i.e., “Females are the worst!”). Here’s a fun exercise:
Search the word “females” on Twitter and see what you get.
5. Because it’s grammatically weird.
ebengregory.com
The word “female,” in its primary usage, is an adjective. When
you use “female” as a noun, the subject that you’re referring
to is erased.
For example:
“I talked to a female yesterday.”
A female what? A female kangaroo? A female rock snake? The
subject of the sentence is not clear.
“I talked to a female presidential candidate yesterday.”
This sentence is now about a human being.
It should be noted, though, that using “female” as an adjective can take a sexist turn when used in a case that isn’t notable. Referencing a “female firefighter,” for example, is appropriate only when her being female is pertinent to the story; otherwise, she’s just a firefighter. But if you’re talking about the first woman to become a firefighter, saying “the first female firefighter” is acceptable because her gender is relevant.
For more information on the appropriate grammatical uses of “female” and “woman,” click here.
6. And most importantly, because the word you’re looking for already exists.
dormiodiatodo.tumblr.com
That word is “women.”
