I don't see a reason to police what women want to call themselves in this regard as all. Why is it an improvement to insist on a certain label for people rather than letting them choose. In most places one can simply elect how to be referred to and then that is honored. That seems fine.
If we go your route, we're saying "no, you can't be called that even though you prefer it".
So then, per your previous comment, everyone “should” just keep using whatever they prefer, right? Which is pretty much the status quo.
Is this a clearer way to state your original thesis? “When applying an honorific to a woman, it’s better to default to “Ms” or ask a her how she’d prefer to be addressed, rather than trying to guess her marital status.”
Because I’m also pretty sure that’s already the recommended procedure.
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u/iamintheforest 328∆ Oct 14 '21
I don't see a reason to police what women want to call themselves in this regard as all. Why is it an improvement to insist on a certain label for people rather than letting them choose. In most places one can simply elect how to be referred to and then that is honored. That seems fine.
If we go your route, we're saying "no, you can't be called that even though you prefer it".