tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post1443254714920190901..comments2024-03-11T05:26:34.143-05:00Comments on Women Who Serve: Zvonareva goes to Indian Wells finalDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-41501829655453776662009-03-21T09:58:00.000-05:002009-03-21T09:58:00.000-05:00Context is everything, David There are often cases...Context is everything, David There are often cases in which women call each other "girls" and men call each other "boys." It's just part of a particular idiom. Your Australian example is a good one. The American "guys and girls" is another one, except that one is obviously a bit less egalitarian.<BR/><BR/>But when commentators (except for Ted Robinson) repeatedly call 18-year-old ATP players men and repeatedly call 25-year-old WTA players girls--that's another matter.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-34829951835460636202009-03-21T07:53:00.000-05:002009-03-21T07:53:00.000-05:00I don't like the use of the word girls for players...I don't like the use of the word girls for players on the WTA tour, but in Australia, I'm not sure if it's the case everywhere, in all of the football codes, and various other sports, the male players call their teammates and opponents "boys" and never men. <BR/>Just as an example that the other exists as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-16144352019810431892009-03-20T23:05:00.000-05:002009-03-20T23:05:00.000-05:00Context plays a role, and there are instances in o...Context plays a role, and there are instances in our idiom in which "girl" is fine ("out with the girls," etc.). But the consistent identifying of women as children infantilizes us. The ATP players--even if they are just 18-- are men; the WTA players--even if they are 28--are girls.<BR/><BR/>Some women call other women "girls," too, because it so acceptable to do so, just as many people say "Oriental" when they mean Asian. And while they mean no harm, culture changes only when language changes. Though it is naive to think that a racial bigot is any less bigoted because the culture has banned words such as "colored"--it is also true that banning such words sends a message that the culture is shifting...if ever so slowly...away from bigotry. And that is an important message.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-31749818150205164512009-03-20T22:43:00.000-05:002009-03-20T22:43:00.000-05:00The secret behind the curtain of the male psyche: ...The secret behind the curtain of the male psyche: women have so much power over the male self-esteem that males have to make themselves feel superior by thinking of womankind as "girls." Males who refer to women as girls are broadcasting not only their lack of respect, but also their insecurity. It's a convenient warning sign that a male isn't mature enough to be taken seriously as a true equal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-19050296839074431842009-03-20T21:53:00.000-05:002009-03-20T21:53:00.000-05:00Whoever says it isn't sexism better be referring t...Whoever says it isn't sexism better be referring to men as children, and better sometimes be calling linesmen women.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-23258820977546555592009-03-20T21:52:00.000-05:002009-03-20T21:52:00.000-05:00Well, some would say that's not sexism but to each...Well, some would say that's not sexism but to each his/her own, I guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-8286767767447223642009-03-20T21:46:00.000-05:002009-03-20T21:46:00.000-05:00The constant referral to the women (not Azarenka h...The constant referral to the women (not Azarenka herself, who is still an adolescent) on the tour as "girls" and the referring to the lineswomen as men. It went on the entire match.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-65378085209568104382009-03-20T21:34:00.000-05:002009-03-20T21:34:00.000-05:00"...riddled with sexism."Details?"...riddled with sexism."<BR/><BR/>Details?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com