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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
What does the word "Gender" really mean?
The British evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins, in one of his books (either "the Blind Watch Maker" or "Unweaving the Rainbow". I forget which) says that the word "gender" is frequently misused. He says that "gender" is a grammatical term and that it is incorrect to refer to whether someone is male or female as being their gender. He says we should use the term "sex" for male/female.
What do other people think?
What do other people think?
Top answer
"Harry Flashman" (Email Removed) schrieb im Newsbeitrag [nq:1]The British evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins, in one of his books (either "the Blind Watch Maker" or "Unweaving the Rainbow". female as being their gender. He says we should use the term "***" for male/female.
- "Harry Flashman" (Email Removed) schrieb im Newsbeitrag [nq:1]The British evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins, in one of his books (either "the Blind Watch Maker" or "Unweaving the Rainbow".
- female as being their gender.
- He says we should use the term "***" for male/female.
- [/nq] Strictly speaking, he's correct: "gender" is properly a grammatical term.
- Here's where it can be important: Usually, the gender of a noun referring to a person or animal reflects the biological *** but not always.
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57 Answers
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"Harry Flashman" (Email Removed) schrieb im Newsbeitrag
[nq:1]The British evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins, in one of his books (either "the Blind Watch Maker" or "Unweaving the Rainbow". ... female as being their gender. He says we should use the term "***" for male/female. What do other people think?[/nq]
Strictly speaking, he's correct: "gender" is properly a grammatical term. Fo
[nq:1]The British evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins, in one of his books (either "the Blind Watch Maker" or "Unweaving the Rainbow". ... female as being their gender. He says we should use the term "***" for male/female. What do other people think?[/nq]
Strictly speaking, he's correct: "gender" is properly a grammatical term. Fo
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Thank you for your interesting and informative reply. I have noticed that there are there universities that offer "Gender Studies"? Why aren't they called "*** Studies"? Is it just because they are squeamish or is there still something that I misunderstand about the term "gender".
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[nq:1]The British evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins, in one of his books (either "the Blind Watch Maker" or "Unweaving the Rainbow". ... female as being their gender. He says we should use the term "***" for male/female. What do other people think?[/nq]
Gender is exclusively a term used in grammar.
If someone says she is studying 'Gender Studies' then she is studying a field of gramma
Gender is exclusively a term used in grammar.
If someone says she is studying 'Gender Studies' then she is studying a field of gramma
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Mike Lyle - from the UK - posted on May 25th:
[nq:1]Don't even think about it! One of my girls is doing gender and[/nq]
[nq:2]Just out of curiosity, what type of work does your daughter expect to do after university? What field does that area of studies fit into?[/nq]
[nq:1]Good question. She's interested in research at the moment, but we'll see. I don't think it matters too much, thou
[nq:1]Don't even think about it! One of my girls is doing gender and[/nq]
[nq:2]Just out of curiosity, what type of work does your daughter expect to do after university? What field does that area of studies fit into?[/nq]
[nq:1]Good question. She's interested in research at the moment, but we'll see. I don't think it matters too much, thou
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[nq:1]Thank you for your interesting and informative reply. I have noticed that there are there universities that offer "Gender Studies"? Why aren't they called "*** Studies"? Is it just because they are squeamish or is there still something that I misunderstand about the term "gender".[/nq]
"Gender Studies" programs do not study ***. "Gender" in this sense is a social creation, ultimately rel
"Gender Studies" programs do not study ***. "Gender" in this sense is a social creation, ultimately rel
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If you think that "gender" is limited to grammar, you haven't been paying sufficiently close attention to the English language. See the entry "gender / ***" in the American Heritage Book of English Usage at
http://www.bartleby.com/64/pages/page176.html
Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis
http://www.bartleby.com/64/pages/page176.html
Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis
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[nq:1]Thank you for your interesting and informative reply. I have noticed that there are there universities that offer "Gender Studies"? Why aren't they called "*** Studies"? Is it just because they are squeamish or is there still something that I misunderstand about the term "gender".[/nq]
I don't think it is about squeamishness. This country would be a lot better if people still knew how to
I don't think it is about squeamishness. This country would be a lot better if people still knew how to
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[nq:2]which) is Gender is exclusively a term used in grammar. ... Studies' then she is studying a field of grammar. Alan[/nq]
[nq:1]You're not fooling anybody but yourself Alan. DC[/nq]
Shouldn't you be studying?
Alan
[nq:1]You're not fooling anybody but yourself Alan. DC[/nq]
Shouldn't you be studying?
Alan
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[nq:1]I have noticed that there are there universities that offer "Gender Studies"? Why aren't they called "*** Studies"?[/nq]
Because far too many people would enroll, discover what the class was REALLY about, and immediately drop it.
Michael DeBusk, Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place Did he update
Because far too many people would enroll, discover what the class was REALLY about, and immediately drop it.
Michael DeBusk, Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place Did he update
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