Woman: Derogatory or honoring?

[rojoloco]

When exactly did the term "woman" become such a derogatory word? I started thinking about this the other day. People call a guy "man" and we don't think anything of it.

"Hey man, how's it going?" or "Man, grab me a soda on your way."

However, try this one on for size:

"Woman, bring me a drink while you are up." or "Woman, what on Earth are you thinking?"

The result will probably be sleeping on the couch or being called a male chauvinist pig. While most of us agree this would be the result, the better question of why? What has caused the word "woman" to be viewed in such a negative connotation and with a sense of disrespect and dishonor?

The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man."

This tells us Woman got her name for a particular reason. There was nothing degrading about it. It stems from the very beginning during Creation.

Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.

No fear in being called a woman here. In fact, she is being described as a woman of excellence. There is no fear of being called of woman. There is no desire to pretend to be a man. A woman of excellence.

Man, who is born of woman,
Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

Here, woman is being used to humble Job. The one known as Woman is where he began. The same goes for Jesus being born of a woman. It is where he came from. Talk about an honoring title.

And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."

When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"

I'm sure we can all agree that Jesus always honored his mother. As a result, we can see his title for her is not a sign of disrespect but rather, a sign of utmost respect and honor. Again, try that one today and see what happens.

So, in light of all of this, why is it that we will still continue to view the use of the word "woman" as a sign of disrespect, dishonor, and a lack of love? It really is a shame to see how the world has perverted such an awesome title. IMHO, the word woman should be used just as man, pastor, mother, father, son, daughter, etc are used without shame. Any thoughts on this one?

 

[Logos57]

I totally agree especially since now in today world it is perfectly normal to call a woman another word for a female dog in heat. I think this is sad.

 

[Coconut]

A true son of God will treat the daughters of God with respect, and he will not have to be told that to dishonor them, is to dishonor His Father.


1Pe 3:7 If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn't as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
1Pe 3:8 Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble.
1Pe 3:9 Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,
1Pe 3:10 "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies.
1Pe 3:11 Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
1Pe 3:12 The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil."

 

[cole]

The use of the word, including the tone of voice, is what can make the word pejorative. The infamous "N" word actually means ignorant or illiterate, but throughout the years its context of use changed.

In the military we are cognisantto call women "females" (or simply soldier) due to the sensitivity of people these days (it's the New Army, lol).

I think, as with all words, we must be mindful how we use them and to whom we direct them. Some people are more easily offended than others and we should be aware of that.

 

[rizen1]

The use of the word, including the tone of voice, is what can make the word pejorative. The infamous "N" word actually means ignorant or illiterate, but throughout the years its context of use changed.

In the military we are cognisantto call women "females" (or simply soldier) due to the sensitivity of people these days (it's the New Army, lol).

I think, as with all words, we must be mindful how we use them and to whom we direct them. Some people are more easily offended than others and we should be aware of that.

If the "N" word you're referring to is Nazi yes ...if it's the other word that stems from Negus ( Ethiopian for Emperor ), ne*gro ( Spanish for color black ) , Nigre ( French for the color Black ) I highly doubt it.

As for the word "woman" being seen as bad...... well it's in the movies, some women grow up in abusive households and develop a rebellious spirit. Silently in their heads they're convincing themselves to not be that woman. They become independent wanting higher titles like queen or adding adjectives like sexy, beautiful , bold etc. to the word woman.
Singing songs like " No one's going to control me "

Society looks at the responsibilities of the woman as belittling. That women should not be subjected to the kitchen, that it's old school. The modern woman is equal to man , the feminist mantra.

To regain the beauty of the word " Woman ", women need to embrace who they are and the responsibilities that goes with being a woman. There are certain things a woman can and should not do, things a woman can and should not wear. A woman's body is a treasure that should be cherished and protected.

If today every female decided to not only call themselves a woman but to act like one...what a wonderful world it would be.

The Porn industry would cease to exist, strip clubs will have help wanted signs, pimps would have to seek unemployment and the playboy mansion would be empty.

To be a woman is hard in today's modern society especially if they're not getting their identity from God the Father.

 

[cole]

From Webster's online dictionary:

"The term ****** is now probably the most offensive word in English. Its degree of offensiveness has increased markedly in recent years, although it has been used in a derogatory manner since at least the Revolutionary War. Definitions 1a, 1b, and 2 represent meanings that are deeply disparaging and are used when the speaker deliberately wishes to cause great offense. Definition 1a, however, is sometimes used among African-Americans in a neutral or familiar way. Definition 3 is not normally considered disparaging—as in “The Irish are the ******* of Europe” from Roddy Doyle's The Commitments—but the other uses are considered contemptuous and hostile.

"–noun
1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a. a black person.

b. a member of any dark-skinned people.



2. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc.

3. a victim of prejudice similar to that suffered by blacks; a person who is economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised."

Interesting that the same day I first read this thread I had attended the Army's equivalent to some sensitivity training (we call it Equal Opportunity) and we discussed this very word and its origins.

They become independent wanting higher titles like queen or adding adjectives like sexy, beautiful , bold etc. to the word woman.

Once again we need to be mindful to whom we are speaking because the word "sexy" has become trivialized in modern society. Anything, regardless of how we want to make it sound, can become offensive. Some women grow up in abusive homes and don't become rebellious but subservient and that's anything but what they should be.

We need to be mindful of what we say and to whom we say it, regardless of our good intentions. Both women and men have a responsibility in loving and respecting each other and until that happens we're going to live in a world where women and children are marginalized and sold into slavery (be it literal sexual slavery or more metaphorical slavery as in the loss of human and equal rights).