As with most derogatory terms, it's mostly about how the term is used, and by whom. Same as the n word and the r word are used prominently by people with the worst of intentions; the fact that the latter originated as a medical term makes no difference to the very real hurtful connotations. "Females" is used on incel forums (from which it spread) to dehumanise women (men are "men", women are "females"). No amount of linguistic justification can erase this societal context.

Do you call men "males" (outside of sports)? So "women" is the correct term. "Females" is what pickup artists and incels use to dehumanize their prey. Outside of that, it's a perfectly useful term.

It's dehumanizing because female is an adjective. Just like it would be dehumanizing to say "that gay over there" or "those blacks" (yikes). To say a "female athlete", "female editor" etc. is all good when the adjective is motivated (you don't always have to make gendered distinctions between athletes or editors for example). Even in nature documentaries female is shorthand for whatever animal they're talking about, the female lion etc. but female human is a weeeird distinction to make. Women is of course still acceptable. And nobody can stop you from using words, just know "that female"/"those females" will make people feel belittled/dehumanized.

So you call women females. Any female creature is referred to as female, like a female dog or a female mouse. But the word woman is reserved for humans, only human females are called "women". Same goes for men. Only human males are called "men". So if you call women "females", but men "men", you are only referring to one as being inherently human.

Assuming the best intentions on your part, the simplest way I can explain it is that it's purposefully dehumanizing, and reduces people to only one of their characteristics. You don't call men "males", so don't call women "females" either. There is also historical context and cultural connotations, but the absolute bare bones explanation is the dehumanization.

Do you go around calling men "males?" Evidently not, so why is "female" acceptable? It's impersonal and dehumanizing to refer to other humans in that way, unless you are reporting details such as an investigation.

Females are specimens, women are humans. Another way to think of it: You call a dog a female dog, not a woman dog. The connotation is revealing.

Why not call men “males”? Instead? It is that hard to refer to women as “women” and not “females”?

You are saying it yourself. You use 'females' vs 'men'. We are women, not females. No woman would talk about 'males'

If we call men "men" why do some call women "females"? It makes them sound like non-human animals. If the purpose is to include females of all ages, why not simply say "women and girls"?

Can I just say great thread everyone and lovely replies! No one being patronising or insulting, this is BP at it's finest ❤️

We call men "men", not "males." The tone of "females" is devaluing and dehumanizing.

Because we generally only talk about females and males in the sense of animals. So when someone is talking about 'oh I was with this female' or 'I saw him with another female'...it makes it sound like you thought of her as less than human. Men and women both use it so no one gender is to blame. It just comes off as ignorant. Yes, women are females and men are males but women don't generally refer to men as 'males'. I have the same issue with the language of 'baby daddy' or baby mama', too. It's like they aren't human- they just gave birth to a baby and that's their only worth to you. You take anything they are away from them and devolve it into a slang that makes you sound unintelligent at best and like you're intentionally trying to demean someone at worst.

The thing is that female should be used as an adjective (There are 12 female firefighters in that station) and woman as a noun: (A woman is as effective a firefighter as a man.) But somehow they got swapped around and mixed up in current verbiage.

It's frequently used as a derogatory sleight, insinuating you're somehow less than a man by existence. Some have gone so far as to coin the term "femoid" because we're not good enough to have "male" or "man/men" applied to us in any capacity.

Well, strictly speaking we call men “men”. We don’t call them “males”, that’s not really a thing.

Call them women. Not females. Its not hard. You don't call men males.

you said it urself! people call men "men" but women "females"....

The equivalent of "female" is "male", not men, and "female" or "male" is dehumanizing

Turn it around and think how it would sound if we only refer to men as males - something about it seems rude. It's equivalent to me saying 'boy' instead of man, dude, guy, etc. I understand your point, and it's a valid point, but all I can tell you is that something about being referred as 'females', which is usually while saying derogatory comments, is obnoxious.

Because it's clinical and somewhat dehumanizing. It's like calling your mum "birthgiver". It's technology correct, but comes of as something an alien would say.

I'm a female and i often refer to other females as such. No real reason why, it's just my personal preference. I don't understand the stigma either lol

Stephanie A Mutti - it's a very useful blanket red flag, however you use the word yourself. No need to kill the speaker on the spot, but definitely worth your while to reconsider going home with them. Same with using the Greek alphabet to classify men - it tells you the speaker takes the misogynist drivel on incel forums seriously. Spend the extra time to establish if the speaker really is a 'nice guy', you won't regret it.

Most women don't refer to men as "males." It's dehumanizing, because only human beings are referred to as men or women. Male and female are biological terms applied to a vast number of living species. Referring to women as "females" in general conversation effectively erases their humanity.

You clearly don't understand the social context of this.

Have you ever heard any woman refer to a guy as a "male" and have anything positive to say after it? You wrote,"Are they still not females? " We still call men "men"! . Your using the words differently. A reason why it is offensive to call a woman "Woman" is because its disrespectful. When we were all kids we are taught how to refer to people( sir, maam, miss etc.) because it is polite. You will not normally hear a woman call another women women. Its because of respect and human decency.

"Female" is an adjective. It is not a noun. Someone says, "I saw this cute female on the road," and I'm wondering if it was a cute female wolf or a cute female toad. It limits a woman to her genitalia. It's the same as saying, "I saw a female of the species on the road. You know, one of those creatures that has mammary glands and a vagina." A "female HUMAN" is called a "woman". It's not bad all of a sudden. Referring to women as "females" (noun) has really ramped up the last 15 years and it drives me INSANE.

Some people read deeper than they need to. Some people actively go out of their way to look for any and all offense in any moment, statement, image, etc. But there are people who are freaky about it. Example. Man: Oh, they sent you to help me with this project. Woman: Yeah. Ready to get started? Man: Hm, no. I don't work with... Females. Or. Man: Oh you don't know anything about XYZ, you're a female. Females don't know anything about cars or sports or (insert male gatekept thing)

I’m with you on this one. “Females” is probably the most generic of terms. It seems to me it would be the least offensive.

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Agreed. Of course context is important. but this as a blanket red flag is a little bit short sighted.