Klarinet Archive - Posting 000151.txt from 2008/07

From: Anne Bell <bell@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl]"man" was Conn-Selmer Relocates
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:08:09 -0400

Mmmm..... but I don't think that carries. I'm sure there are some
word lovers who can find examples BUT- have you ever heard of a female
dominated job referred to in that way- nurseman, nannyman, knitterman
(.... I do think early knitting guilds were male dominated though). I
also doubt so many men would be thrilled to be referred to as a woman in
their job title. Maybe that's one reason that titles like barmaid,
milkmaid etc... aren't in common current usage.
I was in the Navy and for a time was referred to as a "Fireman" being
that it is the name of the rank I really didn't give it a second
thought. Now I guess I consider it sort of a relic- but there was
certainly open animosity concerning my non"MAN"ness. I consider it
patronizing to be told that I should just take the word in a gender
neutral manner and not worry about it. Here's an explanation of subtle
sexism:

"...subtle sexism represents unequal and unfair treatment of
women that is not recognized by many people because
it is perceived to be normative, and therefore
does not appear unusual."

From: Swim, J. K., et. al., Understanding Subtle Sexism: Detection and
Use of Sexist Language <javascript: void 0>. Sex Roles v. 51 no. 3/4
(August 2004) p. 117-28

One of the problems is that (as another research study supports) people
tend to continue to associate -man or -men with MAN or MEN not as a
universal "one." So people hearing "chairman" etc.... actually envision
a man in that role. The only people who would envision someone like
Crystal after hearing "AIRMAN" would be ones who have actually known a
female Airman (or have been following this conversation). If the term
were really gender neutral that wouldn't be the case.

BTW- I'm NOT suggesting that Joe is sexist!

Take Care,
Anne

Joseph H. Fasel wrote:

>Hear, hear! Crystal's got it right. We should think of the suffix
>"-man" as meaning "one who does or is associated with" and not denoting
>gender.
>
>On Thu, 2008-07-31 at 08:03 -0700, Crystal Proper wrote:
>
>
>
>>Guess you haven't talked with many OTHER women in male-dominated jobs. I'm in the Air Force and have no problem being called an "Airman". That's what I am. People can tell by looking at me that I'm a woman. "Airperson" would just be ridiculous. Maybe if Obama gets elected he can work on that.
>>
>>

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