Lovelyish

Yeah, that’s something I’ve always wondered about – why women have “miss” and “mrs” and why men only have one indistinguishable one.

We do get to use “Ms.” as well.

I think French women should be allowed an equivalent term.  

Mademoiselle just brings back memories of being yelled at in elementary for misbehaving lol.

Even though we have the Ms. option, I never see it on documents to fill out, just heard that my friends who attended English elementary/high schools used Ms. for their female teachers.

My German professor last year said that feminists in Germany stopped the usage of the word “Fraulein”, which I think is the equivalent of “Miss” or, in this case, “Mademoiselle.” He said that if you called a girl Fraulein you’d be likely to get punched in the face because it was seen as derogatory — like calling them small or weak. I think you just refer to women as “Frau”.

I wonder if English-speakers will ever have a problem with the word “miss”? I think in our culture we might see the term differently… I have always thought it was weird though that women got titles based on marital status but guys did not.

Well, why do women have to distinguish when men only have one option?

Eh, I like being a Mrs. And there is the option of Ms. available, which I used before I was married. I guess the French need a “Ms.” option.

Don’t they have anything better to do?

I’ve never actually thought about it.  WHY do women have to be distinguished, but not men.  It shouldn’t matter whether we are married or not.  I usually elect not to check a prefix.

I can’t help but roll my eyes a little.  I get where they’re coming from, but I just don’t see it as a big deal at all.

Ugh, who cares.  I don’t think twice when I mark Miss/Ms.

good for them. i agree with that, and i am “ms.” in all professional correspondences.

Im an early childhood education major, and Im currently working at a preschool/daycare.The kids at the day care either call me Miss Kate or Miss Kaitlin. Im not married, but if/when I get married I dont expect my (future) students to call me MRS. Kate or MRS. Kaitlin. I can only remember having one or two teachers in grade/middle school who requested I call her MRS. I dont think MISS has any sort of negative connotations here in the US, but if it does in other countries then I can understand why women would want to get rid of the prefix.

Yes we have Ms. which could be married or not. 

As for the French, I remember they got rid of Mademoiselle in Quebec back in the 90′s. I went to a french immersion school in Canada, and we would call our unmarried teachers “Mlle”. I do remember when it changed in Quebec, since we called all the french teachers Mme no matter what. It makes sense that France is changing it, and I’m surprised they haven’t already. 

Feminists, in general, drive me bat shit crazy. I just did a presentation in my Critical Theory class about Feminism, and my Godddddd. I truly understand where they’re coming from, but some of this shit is ridiculous in a big way.

Then again, maybe I’m just a victim of patriarchal society and I am one of their mindless “good girl” sheep.

i would wanna identify as mademoiselle…shit sounds classy as fuck

I’d rather be called “Ms.” because for me it is the equivalent of mistaking you for a young single independent woman. “Mrs.” makes me feel like they think a woman is already too old and mature in appearance. Although I don’t get why men are only called Mr.

Even using “Miss” here in the states seems derogatory to me, at this point. For women in their twenties and thirties, it strikes me as very demeaning. I would say this applies to other cultures as well.

Why? Because a woman is supposed to belong to the man she marries. The man is the head of the household, the wife’s protector and owner. The title Mrs. is a testament that she is no longer considering other men, she belongs to her man alone. 

Think of it as women being more valuable/costly than men. In the past, the men did the searching and women were a prize to be won. And yep, the prize used to mean virginity, not solely personality, or physical attributes, or wealth or whatever else. Think of it as a “Hey back off, I’m taken and loved. I’m cared for. I’ve chosen to give my life to this man.” Think of it as the man’s statement that he is carrying all the burdens of his wife’s life. He’s the head, he’s taken control, and with control, responsibility for the well-being of his wife. 

The titles signify purity shared between faithful, lifelong, heterosexual partners. Yea, let’s erase that from view. But I can see how they might bother certain sectors of society. 

Eh, my feminist 12th grade English teacher told us that she would like to be called “Ms.” because “Mrs.” means “Property of” (but I think the real reason was because she was old and still not married lol). I honestly don’t think it’s a big deal at all. I mean I guess it is weird that only girls have titles that differentiate marital status, but I don’t see it as offensive. I was excited to be called “Mrs. _____” when I got married. I fact, I think the different titles are useful because it lets people know whether our last name is our maiden name or husband’s last name. I don’t know, whatever, it’s really not a big deal.

I’ve ALWAYSALWAYSALWAYS been pissed by how women must be identified by their marital status. I remember being upset over this when I was seven years old. I love it being brought to light in French culture. The same needs to be done in the U.S.

Why does everyone hate “Miss?” :(:(

To every girl who comments on this about how they hate feminists, I don’t think you know what a feminist is lol. Feminist doesn’t mean crazy ass bitch who wears flannel and chops her hair off. Do some research…

@eindomitus@xanga - I”m NEVER “belonging to the man” I marry. He’s my best friend and my partner, but I would never belong to him. I’m a strong willed, independent woman who can live by herself, but just has a boyfriend for support. Women aren’t objects and women don’t belong to anyone.

Oh yea, I haven’t thought of this before. Agree that it’s odd for only women to reveal. If this movement really prevails there’ll be a radical change.

I honestly don’t see the big deal in this.  Maybe because I’m young?  Either way, I just don’t see why it is considered a touchy topic..

I only use ‘Ms.’ when a prefix is required; otherwise, I don’t check one (which sometimes has interesting results, since my name is kinda unisex).

Good for the French women; I think it’s ridic that we had to come up with our own marital-status-ambiguous prefix. It’s batshit dumb that men have one prefix and we need THREE DX

I can understand where they are coming from. Men are only asked to identify themselves as men, and women are required to be either married or unmarried. Plus I got really confused once when I got a form from the doctor’s office and it included single, married, unmarried, widowed, etc, and I believe I put down unmarried and when they called to take my information they kept asking if my “partner” wanted to be included in knowing the details of the operation I was getting and they kept insisting every time I said no, as I was totally confused.

Less hassle please. Just male or female.

@Twirly_Red3@xanga - What does Ms. even stand for, if “Miss” means single & unmarried, and “Mrs.” means married.? Does “Ms.” mean divorced? 

I absolutely loathe the term ‘Ms.’
Then again, I’m not a big fan of the whole feminist movement, either, despite the fact that I have no plans to marry or have children. I’m not choosing that life just to give credibility to the feminists; I simply don’t feel called to marriage, that’s all.

@eindomitus@xanga - Way to chain women to like the 1800′s and earlier . . . It’s awful that you believe women should still be property, and I feel sorry for you, for being so stupid. It’s sad, really, but I’m sure your man will love having such a freebie way to get to control your life. At least he’ll be happy, and that’s all that matters when you’re the equivalent to owning a dog to him, right?

@eindomitus@xanga - So he “belongs to you” as you’re his property, right?

@chikademon@xanga - A life is not to be taken, it is to be given. Every individual is unique and therefore priceless. Embracing the Giving or Receiving/Leading or Following/Dominant or Submissive role is a lifestyle choice between two loving, trusting partners. Both should understand the sacrifice being made and the value of such a gift, as well as what they contribute to each other. Dogs do not have free will or choice or a voice. Learning how to relinquish yourself and your desires for the one you love is a struggle that requires sacrifice, because human-kind is innately selfish. Nothing could be more caring than accommodating your Love’s desires, and it’s oh so exciting to delve into the inner workings of each other’s minds. 

@thepsychoticraccoon@xanga - yes, I’m german and you really don’t use the word fräulein, my mom only uses it when she’s yelling at me.

i just want to say some of these comments are dumb as hell, the patriarchal system bought you for sure (you know who you are)!

@eindomitus@xanga - first of all, married or not a woman does not ‘belong’ to a man ever. so technically the man is not the ‘owner” of his wife/partner. 
 

I always thought Ms was just used to be polite instead less of a marital status thing even though it does have that function. I have no problem being called Ms. I really don’t mind it.

Honestly, I love the title “Miss” so it doesn’t bother me. I can understand their argument, but you can check whatever the Hell you want to. It’s more interpretation nowadays, rather than an identifier of marital status.

I wouldn’t mind going by something that distinguishes me as unmarried. It’s not like guys nowadays think “Oh we have one fixed title while women must distinguish.”

@TallandThinIsBetter@xanga - yeah they’d be known as extremists lol

@AngelAsh_86@xanga - Ms. is equivalent to Mr.  Wherever Mr. can be used, Ms. can be used.  It is independent of marital status or age.  

I have used Ms. for years and years.  If Ms. isn’t a choice, I don’t mark anything.  I’m not a Miss or Mrs. so only Ms. fits.  

Fucking seriously? People are dying all over the world in wars, famine, poverty. Do these women honestly have nothing better to do with their time?

Yes it’s odd how women have two options where men have just the one, but who the fuck cares? It’s not offensive.

Miss and Ms. both been unmarried. Miss is an unmarried young woman and Ms. is an unmarried older woman ( like 30s and up).

…meanwhile there are people starving…

I’m from a more southern culture, so everyone gets called “ms ____” or “ma’am” because when I was growing up it was POLITE! now i can’t go anywhere without offending anyone.

we really need to focus on larger issues. but hey, if its really that important to you, do what you want, France.