Why is it often acceptable to refer to a woman as a “girl” but calling a man a “boy” is often unacceptable?

Question

Why is it often acceptable to refer to a woman as a “girl” but calling a man a “boy” is often unacceptable?

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Answer 1

I think it’s the pressure of women having a “perfect age.” Like I, a 25 year old adult woman, feel weird about being called a woman or a lady when I’m out shopping. But in the office, I hate being called a “girl.” So it depends on whether I’m in a position of authority or not. But I guess I’m not being called “a female”…I’m not a lizard in a pet store.

For men, I still call my male friends “boys”. Not in a derogatory way, but it feels weird calling 25 year old dudes men. But like a middle aged man…definitely not a boy (and a middle aged woman is not a girl).