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From: daemon@decwrl.UUCP (The devil himself)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Perchild and other Stupidity
Message-ID: <2221@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 18-May-85 14:57:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.2221
Posted: Sat May 18 14:57:53 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 20-May-85 04:24:54 EDT
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 33

Re: Perchild and other Stupidity________________________________________________

> If you are opposed to sexist language, please note that `perchild' and and
> [sic] its ilk the are the tools of your opponents used to ridicule your
> viewpoint.

	I used to feel that way, but the way I see it now, there are so many
more important things to spend my time being concerned about.  (For example,
there are still people out there who think there is a correlation between wear-
ing "provocative" clothing and being a rape victim.  There is, in fact, abso-
lutely no correlation.)
	I recognize that some so-called witty critics (jerks like George Will
and Billy Buckley come immediately to mind) have used ridiculous constructs
like "perchild" to ridicule the goal of nonsexist language; but most of the
people I meet who do these things in jest are just plain folks trying to have
a few laughs in a changing world.  When I hear somebody saying or see somebody
writing these things, I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt and not
see them as "opponents" unless and until they prove otherwise (as Messrs. Will
and Buckley have).
	I will note, however, that I've heard just about every one of these
stupid constructs already; that like most jokes, their humor decreases with
repetion; and that they weren't \all/ that funny to begin with.
	Now can we please talk about something else?
		<_Jym_>

:::::::::::::::: Jym Dyer
::::'  ::  `:::: Dracut, Massachusetts
::'    ::    `::
::     ::     :: DYER%VAXUUM.DEC@DECWRL.ARPA
::   .::::.   :: {allegra|decvax|ihnp4|ucbvax}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-vaxuum!dyer
::..:' :: `:..::
::::.  ::  .:::: Statements made in this article are my own; they might not
:::::::::::::::: reflect the views of |d|i|g|i|t|a|l| Equipment Corporation.