American Youth, photo-essay

[nimrod]

Originally Posted by Kouak

I don't like the -ette suffix either.

The first definition shows that -ette describes a smaller or lesser value than the original. This implies that "dudettes" are lesser than "dudes"--something that I am against. The third definition say that the -ette is an imitation--not real.

Women are not lesser than men so why do men, and women, refer to women using a diminutive noun? It is so common that it is automatic. Our subconscious does pick up on it. How will our wifes and daughters become our equals if they are always our -ettes?

Dude, get over yourself. You seem to be looking for excuses not to like it. I say this because you left out one definition, the one that says it is to make the feminine of the word, as would be correct for dude/dudette. You seem to be taking a position just because you can. If you do not like it do not use it.

[Kouak]

Originally Posted by nimrod

Dude, get over yourself. You seem to be looking for excuses not to like it. I say this because you left out one definition, the one that says it is to make the feminine of the word, as would be correct for dude/dudette. You seem to be taking a position just because you can. If you do not like it do not use it.

Yes, I did leave the second definition out, which described the making of the feminine of the noun. I was not debating if -ette was being used that way, but rather commenting as to why it was being done.

[wynotbnude]

Originally Posted by Kouak

Yes, I did leave the second definition out, which described the making of the feminine of the noun. I was not debating if -ette was being used that way, but rather commenting as to why it was being done.

I do not see the problem with using the "ette" suffex on most nouns used for males. I can not recall ever hearing it used in a derogitory fashion against women. I guess if you would consider Dude to be downgrading to men then Dudette would be as well, but I think it is just another term of endearment.
However, since the reciever is the one that usually decides if something is offensive regardless of the intent, it is the women who would be the authority on this subject.
I hope some of them will let us know their thoughts about it.

[LamontCranston]

Instead of arguing about semantics, has anyone noticed American youth fashion is about baggy clothes for men and skin tight cuts for women?

Here we are 40 years past the women's rights movement of the 1960's and it's still skin tight jeans and stretch tops on the youth and cleavage, bare legs and suggestive camera angles on TV/movies... meanwhile, boys and men are unkempt and unshaved.

Why is that?

BTW - We have American Youth living in the house and they don't use or care about the term Dudette. It's not used, is not a trigger, and has no meaning.