Why do female actors, previously known as actresses,

[worm]

And as you said at the time, it's all their fault.

[eFestivals]

[worm]

[feral chile]

Well no, they can't help being female.

Edited November 14, 2012 by feral chile

[worm]

I wasn't thinking you stupid, I meant I'm often not sure whether to take a humorous remark at face value, or if there's a deeper meaning behind it.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Oooo, look at the allure I've created over the years. No wonder I have lady problems.

Missed you too Feral.

[Reptile]

It's a language issue I think, not a sexist one or any such nonsense.

A female doctor isn't called "doctress". Although that sounds good haha.

[Reptile]

Good point! I wonder why this is the case for actors/actresses... Surely like "doctor", "actor is also just a word to show an occupation. Strange that some have masculine and feminine, and others don't. Suppose that's the point I was trying make..

[eFestivals]

Good point! I wonder why this is the case for actors/actresses...

women have always acted as a profession. Women have not always been doctors as a profession.

[Reptile]

I don't think women were allowed to act before 1600. They used young lads on stage to play the women. I may be wrong though...

[Reptile]

I don't think women were allowed to act before 1600. They used young lads on stage to play the women. I may be wrong though...

[eFestivals]

I don't think women were allowed to act before 1600. They used young lads on stage to play the women. I may be wrong though...

and when they were allowed, they had a different word to differentiate them.

By the time women were allowed to be doctors the fashion for different words to create a gender differentiantation had lessoned. Women didn't used to be teachers until fairly modern times - the same applies. As it does with many other things.

The basis of it is in sexism. When women do things it's not the same as when men do.

[Reptile]

The basis of it is in sexism. When women do things it's not the same as when men do.

[feral chile]

How do you mean?

[Reptile]

Language is powerful, it's only one factor though. I wouldn't mind betting that if men tended to be nurses, and women tended to be engineers, then nursing would be valued and paid higher than engineering.