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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!microsoft!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!marla
From: marla@ssc-vax.UUCP (Marla S Baer)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: re:girl vs woman
Message-ID: <675@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 13-Dec-83 12:12:32 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.675
Posted: Tue Dec 13 12:12:32 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Dec-83 02:18:26 EST
Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle
Lines: 35

.
After following this discussion for about two weeks, I decided to
put my 2 cents in. (There's no cent sign on this keyboard!! :-)  )

I am a WOMAN in my mid twenties.  I am an engineer with over two
years experience, and a four year college degree.  I have lived on
my own for over three years.  I have changed tires on my car, given
it a full tune-up (at least my old car, my new one has electronic
ignition and fuel injection!) , and done all general maintenance on
it.  I have done all types of basic home repair.  In general, I feel
I am self-sufficient (even if I can't type too well!! :-)  ).  

As a working woman, I am faced with two big disadvantages, one I am
young, and I look it, two, I am a woman in a "man's" field.  I find
being called a "girl" very demeaning.  To me it means young female
child.  Although I admit to being a female, I am NOT a "young child"
and I do not like being referrred to as one.

An incident happened at work some time ago.  One of the other
engineers (male) referred to me as "little girl" in a loud voice
intending to get a laugh out of his collegues.  I answered his
question very seriously, but I called him a little boy, in the same
volume voice.  When he objected, I explained to him that since we
were both in the same general age group, if I was a little girl, he
must be a little boy.  He seemed to shrug it off at the time, but
noone here has ever called me a girl again.  I am refered to as
"woman", "lady", and sometimes "guy" (usually in the collective.).

Well, I think I have rambled on enough.

Marla S. Baer
Boeing Aerospace
Seattle, WA (formally NYC, NY)
ssc-vax!marla
"