Why Sexist Language Matters

"Why Sexist Language Matters", by Sherryl Kleinman made me think twice about using "you guys" and other male-based terms. I find this article to contain very powerful meaning and touch a very important issue. I do realize that being called "a guy" when it's addressed to a group of people of both genders might make certain women feel lower than males. I see the author's stand and point of view on the sexist language but I've never felt offended or lower than males when being called a freshman or addressed as "you guys". I know that everyone has a different view on this issue but I think that changing so many words to not have a male-based meaning is a little extreme. Even though I see how sexist language correlates with violence against women and gender inequality, I can't ever imagine saying "you all" or freshwomen. By now all these words are so rooted in my vocabulary that if that change was to take place, I would be catching myself every five minutes using male-based words and realizing that it happened again. What I thought was sad about the article was that the boy wouldn't believe the firewoman that she actually was one just because she was a woman and couldn't be as one of the "firemen". I think that it's definitely an unpleasant situation to be in for both the firewoman and the parents of the boy. I myself do not quite know how I would explain this to my child if I was to be in the same shoes. Even though this article made me think more about the sexist language and the possible outcomes and issues it might bring upon our nation, I am not quite convinced that we need to change the vocabulary.

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