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Original poster

Why are there so many titles for women but only one for men?

80 replies

THERhubarb · 26/02/2013 09:47

Why do women need to have their marital status or otherwise conveyed in a title such as Miss, Ms or Mrs whilst men, no matter whether they are with someone or not, will always be Mr?

I've always hated titles and it still feels weird to be addressed as Mrs. I have a name, it's part of my identity and I would much rather my name be used than an old-fashioned title which tells the person whether I am married, single or otherwise.

I find it weird that people can take offence at their first names being used but not be bothered by a title that can tell others exactly what their marital status is. What business is it of theirs? How come men get away with having a non-descript title whilst we have to let the world know our marital status?

Am I the only one who hates having a title and who steadfastly refuses to use it?

OP posts:
FloatyBeatie · 26/02/2013 11:56

How do Quakers manage with automated forms? They don't like titles at all. I know one lovely old Quaker lady who lives in sheltered housing. All the other residents have their names on the doors as "Mr/Mrs... So And So" but her name is without title: she is humorously mock-afraid that the other residents think that the absence of the title indicates that she is an unmarried (great-grand)mother.

catkind · 26/02/2013 11:55

:) Ilovexmastime. I tend to say Dr if someone's being patronising at me, and Ms the rest of the time.

catkind · 26/02/2013 11:51

I think people invented Ms in the hope it would replace Miss and Mrs and therefore not tell everyone your marital status. Do people still call young boys Master instead of Mr?

Ilovexmastime · 26/02/2013 11:47

I hate it so much that I did a phd to get rid of it! (Only half joking...)
Trouble is, I now feel like a prat when I insist on being referred to as Dr.
I don't know why we put up with it, haven't the French just got rid of it?
I think it's outrageous that we are expected to give away our martial status when men aren't.

WoTmania · 26/02/2013 11:46

you aren't the only one. I think ti's mainly habit and tradition. They had those titles to know who women 'belonged' to and whether they were 'available' or not