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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Are there many `gendered` job names left?

80 replies

DropYourSword · 16/10/2013 09:06

Was thinking recently about this and the pointlessness of defining whether the worker is male or female.

Doctor, pilot, teacher, nurse etc aren't gendered (although I do appreciate that some people may assume the workers gender). I know we use headteacher now instead of headmistress / headmaster and stewardess is now flight attendant etc.

The only thing I can think of is waiter and waitress. I wad wondering if there were moreand what the suggestion would be for renaming it.

OP posts:
wem · 16/10/2013 10:48

Kim - I guess the point is there is the default (male title) and then the other (female title). To use the 'tress' suffix is to make the point that it is a female version of the norm. Like saying lady doctor.

I like the idea of making the default the female version, but it seems rather unlikely! At least if everyone has one default then there isn't the distinction.

DropYourSword · 16/10/2013 11:42

I can't remember where I read it now, but I did see someone once where they put forward the suggestion of gen to replace man . I think gen came from generation and represented non gendered person. Theywould suggest genkind, chairgen, postgen, policegen etc. Although it does seem a little clunky to me.

OP posts:
PumpkinGuts · 16/10/2013 17:44

In the states we usually say server not waiter/waitress.
Waitress always sounds 80s to me

PumpkinGuts · 16/10/2013 17:45

I like letter carrier for postman

ErrolTheDragon · 16/10/2013 17:50

A while ago there was a thread where someone was struggling to come up with a good non-gendered version of her job, which was 'cameraman'.

I've not heard a female thesp refer to herself as anything other than an actor for a long time.

Lottiedoubtie · 16/10/2013 17:57

^Jane froggat did it several times in a BBC interview about Downton. Still happens, but I agree, I prefer 'Actor'.

PedantMarina · 16/10/2013 18:04

Queen/King
Prince/Princess
Duke/Duchess

Well, they are jobs. Sort of... Halloween Grin

ErrolTheDragon · 16/10/2013 18:06

Pedant - the actual job name for King/Queen is 'Monarch' isn't it?

MortifiedAdams · 16/10/2013 18:09

My work.now has Server or Host for the people that bring your food, and Room Attendants instead of Maids/Chamber Maids.

ErrolTheDragon · 16/10/2013 18:11

Room Attendants instead of Maids/Chamber Maids.

The term in the US which I quite like is 'housekeeper' (and it isn't always a woman)

MortifiedAdams · 16/10/2013 18:13

Our Housekeepers are the Managers and Supervisors.of the Room Attendants.

PedantMarina · 16/10/2013 18:37

Hmm, good point, errol.

Takver · 16/10/2013 18:41

Thought of another one very close to home - which doesn't even have a sensible female equivalent: Seedsman

BerstieSpotts · 16/10/2013 18:52

My friend is a housemistress in a boarding school. I don't know if that has a gender neutral term!

ananikifo · 16/10/2013 18:59

I can't believe no one has mentioned sister and matron for senior nurses!

MsIngaFewmarbles · 16/10/2013 19:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ErrolTheDragon · 16/10/2013 19:23

My friend is a housemistress in a boarding school. I don't know if that has a gender neutral term!

DDs school doesn't board but they have 'Head of xxx House' - perhaps that might work?

Takver · 16/10/2013 20:01

Or I've heard Houseparent

TiggyD · 16/10/2013 20:10

I enquired about a job at a montisorry nursery a while ago where the staff were know as Directresses. They said male staff wouldn't be called Directors because it makes them sound like they run the company. I think they got round the issue by making sure they never employed men. Angry.

kim147 · 16/10/2013 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ProcessYellowC · 16/10/2013 20:32

Foreman

Best boy

BerstieSpotts · 16/10/2013 20:32

Ah maybe! Actually I have heard houseparent too. Maybe DF doesn't like the idea of being a "parent" Grin

BerstieSpotts · 16/10/2013 20:33

And Tiggy, wow, that's weird Confused I like the montessori philosophy but that seems just bizarre.

ProcessYellowC · 16/10/2013 20:34

Sorry I'm being thick - I can't figure out the nursery nurses?

Lottiedoubtie · 16/10/2013 20:38

The masculine of housemistress is housemaster.

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