Nomenclature is such a difficult issue sometimes. Take this recent article in Women's E-News on how some feminists are taking exception to the widespread use of "girl" to refer to grown women.
"'Girl' is an infantilizing term for women," said Sherryl Kleinman, a sociology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "This becomes clearest when the doctor uses it to refer to his assistant or secretary, even if she is 50 years old: 'Talk to the girl up front.' I have heard this numerous times in the recent past."
This is clearly a hot-button issue (I've had several e-mail exchanges about this issue this week) but I think the reaction may be stronger along generational lines. Maybe my political correctness radar isn't as well calibrated as it used to be, but I just can't get het up about this as an issue. Considering the current political climate, seems to me the women's movement has a host of other things to be worrying about right now.
But I've worked my whole career in mostly all-female environments, so I feel as if I don't have to worry as much about linguistic putdowns undermining my authority.
And then there's the whole Riot Grrl thing, which seemed to me to be a perfectly good name for a subculture. Bratmobile apparently hasn't given up on the word; their latest is called "Girls Get Busy."
And finally there's the perpetual scramble for youth: At what age do I leave behind being a girl? There never seemed to be a good dividing line, and considering that in some ways I seem to be careening through a perpetual adolescence, albeit with a better haircut, the illusion is that the line may never appear.
No resolution for this one, just thoughts.
On a less weighty, but somewhat related note, I noticed a woman (or a girl) carrying a CD rack on the train today. I thought about saying "Nice rack!" to her, but she might not have appreciated the humor.
Do people still say things like that out of cars to women on the street? Last year a couple of kids yelled "Nice caboose!" at me as I was walking home in my not particularly revealing yoga clothes. I thought it was kind of quaint, yet vaguely alarming. Does that mean I am a train? Sixteen coaches long, I guess.
I don't think (hope never) that line ever does appear. Just when I think I'm starting to grow-up and act like the 36 year old father of two (2) that I am, I listen to a band like the Hives or White Stipes (totally fall back in love with punk rock) or go into a month long funk when I hear that Dee Dee Ramone has died.
Perpetual adolescence is a fact of life. I am still that goofy 19 year old, who could not wait for the next Black Flag album or Butthole Surfers show. And I prefer it that way - I don't want to grow up - being mature and responsible sucks.
But I completely relate to the better haircut comment. May I borrow that line in the future?
And I to also hate when Jaguar, Honda or Oldsmobile uses music from bands like the Clash, Ramones, or Buzzcocks in their commercials.
Just a guy - Bob
Posted by: Bob Dobalina on August 30, 2002 03:58 PM
I do think earlier-wave feminists have more of an issue with the 'girl' label than us 30/40 and younger-somethings. I don't think we've ever been made to feel that being a girl was a negative thing. In my young girlhood and adolescence in the 70's & 80's I was constantly told that girls could do anything the boys could do, and sometimes better than they could. And I didn't grow up with any limitations in my mind about what kinds of career paths to follow, in contrast to my mom, a registered nurse and dedicated professional who would have surely bristled at doctors or patients referring to her as their 'girl.'
Qualities that I associate with girls are spontaneity, strength, sassiness, independence, and vivacity. When I'm an old lady of 80 I hope I'll still have some of that good old girl stuff.
Some kids in Old Town serenaded me at the bookstore once where I used to work with the song "Brick House." They were only in about 4th grade. It was cute. When 30-ish construction workers sang Bowie's "oh ho ho ho, little China Girl," to me once, it was not cute.
For some good listening try Church of Girl Radio on Live365.
Posted by: laurie on August 31, 2002 03:45 AM