[quote IvyTwines]@ShagMeRiggins as having a medical examination is one of the times when the sex of the person doing it can make a difference both in outcomes and the feeling of security and relaxation of the patient, I'd personally prefer it if we did still use sex-based words like 'doctress' in some circumstances.[/quote]
I agree with this—there are situations and settings when having a male or female providing a professional role makes a difference and should be respected.
While I prefer the phrase female doctor rather than doctoress (and god forbid the use of ‘lady doctor,’ though some might prefer that), that’s my own opinion.
It’s important for women to retain the right to prefer doctors who are female (excepting life-saving emergencies and possibly other situations).
And for me, it’s essential that artistic award categories such as acting also remain sex-segregated, mostly because the overwhelming majority of stories told have characters who are male or female.
As stated, I’m thinking my way through this, and trying to clearly understand why it’s important to me.
Finally, can’t help noticing that actresses (female) decided to call themselves Actors, rather than actors (male) saying “yes, we are all the same in the sense we should be able to play any part” saying, oh yes, I am now an Actress.