Gemma Cartwright writes...
Recently we were trying to think up names for a new blog, and found ourselves going round in circles trying to agree on something. I remember this being an issue with Dollymix too. It didn't matter which pet name for the female of the species we used, someone had a problem with it. So many simple pronouns had people grimacing in distaste. Do we really hate being called 'girls' that much?
It's true that most of the words we use to describe women; babe, doll, chick, bitch...have unsavory undertones. While men are lads, blokes or guys; all perfectly acceptable terms of endearment, the names chosen for women so often mean something more vicious. A 'princess', for example, is now a spoilt little rich girl (or a gold-digging chav). A bitch? Well Alex has explained that one before. But what about 'girl'? I know so many people who hate the term, but surely it's better than the alternatives? Why have we felt the need to negate it by creating this whole 'girly girl' stereotype?
I know women who spit out the words 'girly girl' like they leave a nasty taste in their mouths, unable to understand why anyone would want to be known by that moniker. But I really don't see the problem. Is being feminine suddenly a bad thing? So I wear dresses and like pink. Big deal! That doesn't automatically make me a Barbie doll bimbo. I remain convinced if someone talks to me for more than a couple of minutes they will realise I'm not like that. And if they don't take the time to talk to me because they don't like my long blonde hair and nice shoes? Their loss!
After all, being called a girl is much nicer than being called a 'lady'. And don't even get me started on 'madam'...
