Hello, I can identify with your concern, and perhaps I have something to 
contribute in terms of education.  Today, in academic settings, I generally 
solve the problem with my women graduate school students by using Ms. or Dr. 
and so on when addressing them, unless they insist that I use their first 
names.  However, I also address the men in the same way, that is, by using 
Mr. or Dr. and so on.  My male and female students seem to appreciate this 
method.  I have also taken this somewhat formal approach with younger 
students, from very early years through college, and with older students, 
retired and so on, and it seems to work very well, and supports a general 
attitude of social and community respect.

Judith Sinclair, PhD
Cognitive Psychologist
Social and Behavioral Analyst
Founder and CEO
Sinclair & Associates International, LLC
Washington, DC Office
Phone: 202-364-3893
Mobile: 202-236-9822
3003 Van Ness Street, NW
Suite 308 South
Washington, DC  20008
email: j-p-sinclair at att.net
www.sinclairLLC.com



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Daphne Greenberg" <ALCDGG at langate.gsu.edu>
To: <womenliteracy at dev.nifl.gov>
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 2:47 PM
Subject: [WomenLiteracy] titles


On the professional development listserv, there was a posting that I thought 
may be of interest on this listserv. After you read the message I copied 
from Jim, I am wondering if any of you have any thoughts about this, and how 
our female students like to be addressed. Here is the posting:

At my school, some women do not like being referred to as "ladies," saying 
the "title" puts undue societal pressure on them to behave a certain way. In 
the 70's we learned that many traditional expressions pointing to femaleness 
were unacceptable. Many, such as "Honey," "Babe," and "Darlin'," showed a 
certain amount of familiarity and disrespect. I have even received 
disapproving feedback from a woman after saying "Yes, Ma'am." My grandmother 
would roll over in her grave at the thought of my not responding to a woman 
with a one-time courteous "Yes (or No) Ma'am." I would appreciate any 
assistance  anyone can give me in determining the appropriate appellation or 
reference to the women of today. As I have three daughters, I certainly have 
no wish to offend to them or any woman.
Why many men seem to be happy being referred to as "guys," or even "dudes," 
and so forth, while we are apparently having trouble zeroing in on a proper 
set of references to women, I don't know. I know that, just because terms 
were appropriate for many years and eras, it doesn't mean they should remain 
appropriate.
Jim



Daphne Greenberg
Assistant Professor
Educational Psych. & Special Ed.
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3979
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3979
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg at gsu.edu

Daphne Greenberg
Associate Director
Center for the Study of Adult Literacy
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3977
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3977
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg at gsu.edu


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