Are They Aware Of Their Own Sexism?
@danishcanadian (28953)
Canada
February 27, 2011 10:26pm CST
My husband and I are watching an episode of 48 Hours, Hard Evidence, on TLC. The story is about four teenaged guys, who murdered four teenaged girls in an ice cream shop, and then set the store on fire.
Throughout the entire broadcast they're emphasizing how horrific it was that these "little girls" were murdered by these "young men." It's horrible when anyone murders anyone, but why aren't they referred to as "young women, young men" or if they must use "little" then the boys should be "little boys" as well? I am in my late 20s, and my husband is in his early 60s, so there is an age difference between us, however, we don't really notice it. Neither of us agrees that anyone over the age of about 7 years old should be referred to as "little."
Over 7 -older child
10-12 -If "older child" or "child" doesn't fit, then "tween"
13 + -teen, or young woman/young man
18 * -Woman, man
What are your thoughts?
4 people like this
12 responses
@outlawgirl3464 (97)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I think that calling the girls "little girls" hits on the emotions of the watcher of the TV show. I gives the opinion to the watcher of the innocence lost in such a horrific way.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
28 Feb 11
"True dat!", as the illiterate like to say...
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
6 Mar 11
wanna hear something equally hilarious?
my mom's caseworker one day called me "the little handyperson" when ma showed her something i'd fixed.
nevermind the fact that i'm twice this woman's age.
in her case,it had a touch of condescending in it.
but,yea,i've always thought that twisted.i guess they're going for shock value calling them little girls instead,to sound worse.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
12 Mar 11
The only way I would consider someone a little girl is if they were like under the age of like 10 probably. If these were teenage girls being killed by a group of teenage boys, then they should be referred to as teenage girls as well. For any group to kill someone should be a crime, and punishable by law, but to refer to someone like this that is not appropriate for sure.
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
28 Feb 11
Actually, now that you mention it...
I get riled when a news item mentions an "18 year old man" committing some heinous crime... Just because he's reached the legal age of majority doesn't make him a man, especially when he acts in a civicly irresponsible manner.
And I hate the term "tween"! That's just catering to kids who want to grow up too soon.
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
28 Feb 11
Baby -- birth until walking/talking
Toddler -- still in diapers
Child -- out of diapers until age 13
Teenager -- 13 until 19*
Youth -- 18 until 21
Adult -- depends on the individual, generally early 20s.
(There was a time when young men were referred to as youths up to the age of 25.)
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
28 Feb 11
Males are still children no matter what their age.. LOL!
1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
28 Feb 11
Hello danish canadian.
Yes i do believe that was a bit of an exageration with the "little girls" term for those young women.
As far as i know there's the
baby - 0-1 years
todler - 1-3 years
child - 3-10
teenager 11-16
young adult - 16-21
adult - 21-60
elderly - 60
But no one can tell you how you should feel anyway, so you can feel like a child for all your life (as well as feel like an adult ) depending on the situation, right ?
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
28 Feb 11
IT's all in the name of theatrics. Watch the real news....if there is a child involved...that is what is empahsized...far more than the crime itself or even why the parent wasn't around or whatever started it all. Even in politics...every politician will toss in "children" in trying to get a vote. "Kissing the baby"...been around for so long everyone forgot why it got there...to get votes. Kids/children are a "buzz word" for attention. The "younger" they make it sound, the better buzz to go around.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I think they were trying to make it sound more dramatic. By calling the victims "little girls" it made them appear more innocent as in your mind you're thinking of a young child. By calling the perpetrators "young men" you're not thinking of children, you're thinking of young adults. It just sort of sets the stage.
I think what to call a child based on their age depends on what you're compairing them to. I still consider my 8 year olds to be "little kids" and I consider my 13 year old an "older child". I know he's technically a teenager.. but in my head a teenager is 16ish.. a 13 year old is an older child! But heck, I still consider my 3 year old a baby.. he'll always be my baby no matter how old he is!
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Feb 11
Hi, this is a horrible story, but not absurd. This is the picture of new generation. Now young generation is so cruel and crazy. Some days ago in our city a young girl was kidnapped by a young boy. She was raped and then killed. I think this sort of movie encourage young people to violence and cruelty.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
I know what you mean, it gets confusing on how to use such. but i also do not see much on age difference.. just so at times society tend to use dpending on the situation... but i also get confused 
