Feminism | Posted by Nellie B on 09/4/2009

Dealing with Terms of “Endearment”

"Hey, Hon, you're doing really well on that assignment! SMILEY FACE FOR YOU!" …Perhaps not.

As I began my senior year of high school yesterday, I was reminded of how frustrating it is to be young and female at the mercy of  patronizing teachers.

Now, many of my teachers are fine people who are good at their job.  Unfortunately, some, usually male teachers, take the liberty of assuming that my peers, because we are young and female, are named “Sweetie,” “Babe” and “Hon.”  These uncomfortable “terms of endearment,” as I suppose these patronizing monikers qualify as, are not meant to be degrading and uncomfortable. I’m sure the intent is that us gals should be flattered that we are called pet names. …

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