Well yeah it is stupid,but I don't like some words either,just because they sound odd/weird to me. You can't help it I guess,even if it seems "unfeminist" to dislike them.
Some words do sound a little weird and aesthetically displeasing to some people, that much isn't sexism.
The fact that those examples come to mind in particular does feel like it's influenced by some sort of misogyny, probably the idea that female sex organs are unclean or disgusting.
Which is why it irritated me in an over-dramatic, 'DAMN THEE SOCIETY' way - because it was the girls who brought it up. I hate the idea that these young women already have some sort of shame connected with their sex organs, even if it's just in an aesthetic dislike of the words used to describe them.
I hate the word vagina as well. Like, I can use it for medical/technical stuff or in polite company, but I avoid it as much as I can. I don't think that's sexist at all - I hate the word penis as well, medical terminology for genitals is pretty much always a huge turn off.
Personally, I'm fine with 'breasts', think 'boobs' sounds vulgar, and hate seeing the latter pop up more and more.
It's a good thing I don't live in an English-speaking country.
The only thing I hate about the word vagina is that it's used wrong most of the time. People say vagina when they mean vulva. Come on, people... the vagina is an internal organ, the vulva is not. It's not that hard.
I think, rather than outright misogynistic, this represents more of a cultural failing in general.
At least in America (assuming where you and the commenters are based, sorry if I'm incorrect), we're taught from a very young age how taboo genitals are, which are constantly referred to as a "private area" or some other similar contrived nickname because adults are too embarrassed to teach their children the words genitals, vulva, vagina, penis, etc. (and honestly, I think due to some level of general cultural ingrained misogyny, the words vulva and vagina are even more taboo than the word penis).
How are girls supposed to become comfortable with the proper terminology for their genitalia when society teaches us that both the body parts and the proper terms to describe them are somehow wrong or embarrassing?
Totally fair! I'm speaking from a completely general perspective, and I do agree that some medical terminology is just odd sounding, including vagina (not to mention the etymology of the word is what really squicks me out...).
My main issue is that I doubt that any males their age (around the 16/17 mark) would find the word penis something to describe as 'bleurgh'. The disgust bothers me so much.
I'm in the UK. There's embarrassment surrounding the whole issue here too - how specific/scientific should you be with a young child? My mum went with the policy of answering our questions (when they were asked, not in a sit-down 'talk', which took the pressure off all involved) in an age-appropriate manner.
'How are girls supposed to become comfortable with the proper terminology for their genitalia when society teaches us that both the body parts and the proper terms to describe them are somehow wrong or embarrassing?'
Yeah, that's a bloody good point. I wasn't even aware I had a vagina until late primary school, which men NEVER go through. Even if they're unaware of its sexual function, at least they know they have a penis. Instead I had a 'front bottom'. Looking back on that - what. the. fuck.
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You can't help it I guess,even if it seems "unfeminist" to dislike them.
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The fact that those examples come to mind in particular does feel like it's influenced by some sort of misogyny, probably the idea that female sex organs are unclean or disgusting.
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It's a good thing I don't live in an English-speaking country.
The only thing I hate about the word vagina is that it's used wrong most of the time. People say vagina when they mean vulva.
Come on, people... the vagina is an internal organ, the vulva is not. It's not that hard.
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At least in America (assuming where you and the commenters are based, sorry if I'm incorrect), we're taught from a very young age how taboo genitals are, which are constantly referred to as a "private area" or some other similar contrived nickname because adults are too embarrassed to teach their children the words genitals, vulva, vagina, penis, etc. (and honestly, I think due to some level of general cultural ingrained misogyny, the words vulva and vagina are even more taboo than the word penis).
How are girls supposed to become comfortable with the proper terminology for their genitalia when society teaches us that both the body parts and the proper terms to describe them are somehow wrong or embarrassing?
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I'm in the UK. There's embarrassment surrounding the whole issue here too - how specific/scientific should you be with a young child? My mum went with the policy of answering our questions (when they were asked, not in a sit-down 'talk', which took the pressure off all involved) in an age-appropriate manner.
'How are girls supposed to become comfortable with the proper terminology for their genitalia when society teaches us that both the body parts and the proper terms to describe them are somehow wrong or embarrassing?'
Yeah, that's a bloody good point. I wasn't even aware I had a vagina until late primary school, which men NEVER go through. Even if they're unaware of its sexual function, at least they know they have a penis. Instead I had a 'front bottom'. Looking back on that - what. the. fuck.
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