Religion and Ethics Forum

Religion and Ethics Discussion => Philosophy, in all its guises. => Topic started by: Walt Zingmatilder on July 13, 2017, 05:25:18 PM

Title: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on July 13, 2017, 05:25:18 PM
Has Gender neutrality stiffed Feminism? Do posters agree that there seems to be Civil war in the land of ''Right on-ness'' over this.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Gordon on July 13, 2017, 05:28:13 PM
Sounds to me like an attempt to be inclusive, which surely can't be bad.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on July 13, 2017, 05:30:33 PM
Sounds to me like an attempt to be inclusive, which surely can't be bad.
Yes I think practically it's a positive move but what does it do for and to feminism?
I think it pulls the rug from under it by making gender a non issue.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 13, 2017, 05:32:28 PM
Has Gender neutrality stiffed Feminism? Do posters agree that there seems to be Civil war in the land of ''Right on-ness'' over this.
Eh?!
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 13, 2017, 05:33:26 PM
Yes I think practically it's a positive move but what does it do for and to feminism?
I think it pulls the rug from under it by making gender a non issue.
Eh?
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Gordon on July 13, 2017, 05:34:46 PM
Yes I think practically it's a positive move but what does it do for and to feminism?
I think it pulls the rug from under it by making gender a non issue.

I can't see this initiative has anything to do with feminism, or even maleism (if there is such a thing).

It seems to be about how gender is, or isn't, used in public announcements with reference to groups of people waiting on a platform.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Rhiannon on July 13, 2017, 05:35:43 PM
Has Gender neutrality stiffed Feminism? Do posters agree that there seems to be Civil war in the land of ''Right on-ness'' over this.

Eh? indeed.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Sriram on July 14, 2017, 07:25:50 AM
Hi everyone,

No more 'Ladies and Gentlemen'! I understand the London Tube is adopting  gender neutral announcements in future..

Seriously?!  Is this part of the PC ideal?   ::)

Any views?

Cheers.

Sriram
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Aruntraveller on July 14, 2017, 07:52:51 AM
Quote
Is this part of the PC ideal?

No I suspect it's part of an ideal to recognise that not every one identifies with their gender as easily as perhaps you and I do.

It used to be called common courtesy before it got hijacked by somewhat unthinking people who thought using the term PC was an easy stick to beat issues that they didn't agree with, getting some recognition and fair treatment in society.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: trippymonkey on July 14, 2017, 08:10:06 AM
Just as long as they don't call everybody GUYS ?!?!!? AAGGGHHH I bloody hate that !!
Where did THAT rubbish start ???

A guy is a MAN !!!!! >:( ;)
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Rhiannon on July 14, 2017, 08:11:05 AM
I've never identified as a lady.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: floo on July 14, 2017, 08:28:56 AM
I identify as just me! :D
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: trippymonkey on July 14, 2017, 08:34:51 AM
I've never identified as a lady.

Now THAT we can ALL believe !!!!!  ;) ;) ;D
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: floo on July 14, 2017, 09:00:15 AM
Now THAT we can ALL believe !!!!!  ;) ;) ;D

 :P
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 14, 2017, 09:10:12 AM
I've never identified as a lady.
Thanks a bundle - I'm going to have this in my head all day now:

https://youtu.be/4THO9-N--k4
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Rhiannon on July 14, 2017, 09:35:37 AM
 :D
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Harrowby Hall on July 15, 2017, 08:13:46 AM
What pisses me off is the grammatically illiterate (and frequently cowardly) use of "they" instead of "he" or "she", particularly in situations where the context is solely and clearly male or female. The result is stylistically unpleasant and demonstrates a lack of interest in effective communication.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Rhiannon on July 15, 2017, 08:46:58 AM
If someone does not identify with either gender then 'they' is the only accurate option.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: trippymonkey on July 15, 2017, 08:59:43 AM
So NOT 'IT' then ???
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 15, 2017, 09:06:15 AM
So NOT 'IT' then ???
No, on the grounds that it is usually reserved for things - objects - rather than people.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on July 15, 2017, 02:07:17 PM
Can anybody explain ''Don't have to identify with your Gender, have to identify with your sexuality'' thinking.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Harrowby Hall on July 15, 2017, 03:57:05 PM
Can anybody explain ''Don't have to identify with your Gender, have to identify with your sexuality'' thinking.

I suspect "gender" is being used as a politically-correct alternative to "sex" by people who do not know what either word actually means.

Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Harrowby Hall on July 15, 2017, 04:15:25 PM
If someone does not identify with either gender then 'they' is the only accurate option.

Rhiannon, in the thread on male genital mutilation, where the subject is about boys and penises, there are a number of instances where the natural and obvious "he" or "his" have been replaced by "they" or "their". I wrote, earlier where the context is solely and clearly male or female.

And "gender" is not the same as "sex" - sex is a binary condition, male or female, gender is a more complex and varied condition involving a continuum with masculine and feminine as its end points.

I'm not really trying to have a go at you, Rhi, it's just that I like language which is precise. (I only wish that I could always achieve my own standards  :-[)
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 15, 2017, 04:23:07 PM
sex is a binary condition, male or female
Mostly - not always.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: jeremyp on July 15, 2017, 07:49:10 PM
I suspect "gender" is being used as a politically-correct alternative to "sex" by people who do not know what either word actually means.
Gender and sex are not the same thing. Somebody might identify as a woman (gender) whilst being biologically male (sex).

Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 15, 2017, 08:10:39 PM
Gender and sex are not the same thing.
"gender" is not the same as "sex"
Are you actually reading this thread at all?
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Rhiannon on July 15, 2017, 11:00:55 PM
Rhiannon, in the thread on male genital mutilation, where the subject is about boys and penises, there are a number of instances where the natural and obvious "he" or "his" have been replaced by "they" or "their". I wrote, earlier where the context is solely and clearly male or female.

And "gender" is not the same as "sex" - sex is a binary condition, male or female, gender is a more complex and varied condition involving a continuum with masculine and feminine as its end points.

I'm not really trying to have a go at you, Rhi, it's just that I like language which is precise. (I only wish that I could always achieve my own standards  :-[)

I didn't think for a minute you were having g a go st me - not that it would bother me if I thought that you were. I've thought about this and I think it's an example of language evolving again. I don't know about others but I find using 'he' or 'she' difficult in reference to someone that I don't know and find 'they' less personal. Nothing to do with attempting to be politically correct.

As an aside I generally like reasonably good language too, but when posting on my phone I'm also often multitasking and I let things slide. I have bigger things to sweat over.

Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: ad_orientem on July 16, 2017, 12:44:26 PM
It's all bollocks, innit. I'll continue to use he and she because without context it's impossible to know if you're refering to a man or a woman. Sorry to all those who want to make boys into girls and girls into boys but to most knowing the difference is important.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Rhiannon on July 16, 2017, 12:57:56 PM
I'm impressed by your understanding and compassion as always, ad-o.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 16, 2017, 01:15:48 PM
I'm impressed by your understanding and compassion as always, ad-o.
Understanding and compassion from ad_o would be highly unorthodox.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: ProfessorDavey on July 16, 2017, 01:22:10 PM
Hi everyone,

No more 'Ladies and Gentlemen'! I understand the London Tube is adopting  gender neutral announcements in future..

Seriously?!  Is this part of the PC ideal?   ::)

Any views?

Cheers.

Sriram
Thinking about announcements I hear on my train journey (which includes a station with the Tube) I think they have been 'gender neutral' for some while - simply because the announcements aren't phrased in a manner that would need the use of 'Ladies and Gentlemen' etc.

Typically announcements are phrased as follows:

'Passengers on platform 4 awaiting the 8:45 for XXX'

Usually completed by 'we regret to announce this train has been cancelled' - or 'there is a platform alteration' - usually announced at 8:44!!
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: ad_orientem on July 16, 2017, 02:28:11 PM
I'm impressed by your understanding and compassion as always, ad-o.

To normal people being able to differentiate between male and female is important.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 16, 2017, 02:42:24 PM
To normal people being able to differentiate between male and female is important.
What about those people whose psychological gender - how they feel; their image of themselves - is at variance with biological sex?

Go on, tell us that you've got a handle on normal. It's good to laugh.

Moreover, why is it so important? Is it so you know which one to treat as the weaker vessel?
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: wigginhall on July 16, 2017, 03:04:27 PM
Just echoing Prof. D., it's a long time since I heard 'ladies and gentlemen' on London transport of any type.   It sounds odd to hear that it's being phased out, as it hasn't been used for yonks.   It would just sound old-fashioned today.   
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: floo on July 16, 2017, 03:13:21 PM
It's all bollocks, innit. I'll continue to use he and she because without context it's impossible to know if you're refering to a man or a woman. Sorry to all those who want to make boys into girls and girls into boys but to most knowing the difference is important.

Why?
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: ProfessorDavey on July 16, 2017, 04:48:35 PM
To normal people being able to differentiate between male and female is important.
What exactly do you mean by 'normal people' AO?
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 16, 2017, 05:03:51 PM
People with what he thinks of as orthodox opinions, perchance.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: ProfessorDavey on July 16, 2017, 05:26:48 PM
People with what he thinks of as orthodox opinions, perchance.
In other words 'normal people' in his world are people who think like him. Hmm.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: jeremyp on July 16, 2017, 07:02:54 PM
Are you actually reading this thread at all?
Are you? If you were paying any attention to the thread you would note that my post was in response to the post above the one where HH says the same thing as me. Perhaps then you'd have realised I was reading from the top and replied to the first post without being aware of the second one. Then maybe you wouldn't have been quite so snarky.
Title: Re: Has gender neutrality done for Feminism
Post by: Shaker on July 16, 2017, 07:03:18 PM
In other words 'normal people' in his world are people who think like him. Hmm.
People who think like him this year, if you don't mind ever so.

Back on track - consider first names. I hold it to be uncontroversial and a matter of basic common courtesy to address people by their given name in the form in which we may reasonably know they prefer. So - for instance - Richards may wish to be addressed as Richard and not Rich, Richie, Dick, Dickie or any variant thereof. (Richard Burton being an example here). Davids may well be entirely happy with Dave (or Davey), but may not. It's always best to presume the full given name since you can change it later if the information becomes available.

I don't see why it should be any different with gender. To me it's a common courtesy to interact with somebody on the basis of the gender with which they identify and to address them accordingly. To me it's simple everyday politeness, though I realise and recognise that the mileage of others may vary on such matters.