Referring to girls and women as "females" rather than well, "girls or women”

It's so gross... you hardly ever see "males" being used that way. I tried using that word sometimes to put into perspective how we feel with the word "female" but I couldn't keep it up. I guess I have more manners than I thought.

I do that without thinking. I've noticed the majority of females (did it again) I work with use the same terminology even when describing themselves. I just said it now, because I'm talking about girls and women at my workplace.

Sometimes the dehumanization is the point, if the male speaking is a shitty person (and most males who do that sort of thing are)

I tend to use the terms male or female in scientific discussions only and usually refer to men and women when speaking about adults, boys and girls when speaking about children under the age of 16. The term female always reminds me of the Ferengi on Star Trek who call them hooman and feemale and it is intentionally derogatory for them.

I don´t use that term about humans, I agree with your view and sympathize with your position.
Anyhow there is too much emphasis around on the use of words as if replacing them would have magical effects on material reality, where things happen and IMO count.
There still is a lot of work there to do about.

Although I've never had that thought about someone using the word "female" in general, as opposed to girl or woman, I do see what you mean.
I have seen and heard "female" used many times, in a way cleary intended to be at the very least demeaning, if not dehumanizing .

I don’t really care what term is used, as long as the intention is not to offend. To be fair girl is used for most animals, “good girl” used to praise most pets

With all due respect, to me that seems like a crazy thought...

As people also say males, and don't mean anything dehumanizing about it, and the same goes with the word females.

Also, not all girls are humans either, as a pet can be one of the girls too... same with one of the boys.

It all depends on context, but if someone doesn't mean any harm by it, seems kinda anal to get this nit picky.

When someone uses the word female alone, I'd ask: female what? For clarification.

Agreed. Often it seems that men who say "female" are not very comfortable with women in general so they use impersonal words. Some say it's more general than saying women or girls but that's like a weak excuse because in my experience they clearly didn't mean children.

I think the practical reason for using that term is because these days not all women and girls are females. Know what I mean?

How are you to know whether we mean biological women or women-by-choice?

Sometimes for a guy it doesn’t matter what term you use you will still get shot down, what as other times in the same situation you will be just fine when referring to women as either girls, women, ladies or females.

Well. I tend to use "females" in writing because people find "girls" and "women" offensive on occasion. "girls" being offensive as it is diminutive, one should use "young women" instead. And "women" being offensive as it contains "men" or is an aggregate of cis and trans women. So "females" is more specific to cis-women. I guess I'm dehumanizing to women by using "females" now. I guess it's just a question of who I am pissing off..

It's gotten so complicated. I tend not to take offense unless offense seems the intent.

I agree with you, though.

I just use the pronoun “they” now since it’s so trendy and doesn’t suggest any assumption about gender.

Cop speak. They tend to dehumanize who isn't one of them.

Yes, it sounds a bit formal and awkward.

I think it started when men and boys started being referred to as males. It is dehumanizing but sauce for the goose etc.

First I've heard of the word "females" being dehumanizing... so, what is the age cutoff for saying "girls"? I know I've been called on calling a 19 year old a girl.

Do you know that Webster's lists "woman" as a synonym for female and "female" as a synonym for woman.

That does make a lot of sense.

Agree 100%. I've never liked it.

I like to say ladies personally

Good point....

I call all women ladies; little lady, young lady, lady, and old lady depending on their age group.

This is similar to how Mexican has become a derogative term. I guess welcome to adversity?

I use all the words I don't really care or think too much about it 😅

Yawn. Go watch some Disney to get ur girl power energy up or something

Seems to be a popular term in rap music; not that I’m an expert.

Oh lawdy, now I trying to think of every alternative possible.

I wouldn't have a problem with it if males were referred to like that regularly

I mean, I guess?