Oh, that's interesting! I think I say that from time to time and it's funny, because having a girl in my home, and a million girls in the courtyard, I can say: they scream ALL THE TIME.
And it's not about being weak or scared, it's about being loud and obnoxious and overly-dramatic. And having fun. Half the time when they are screaming, they are also laughing hysterically. So when I think of it as an expression I think of it as over-reacting or being a drama queen. Which is still sexist, but it's a different kind of sexist.
I think it depends on the user of the phrase. Little boys can scream just as loud as little girls, but little girls have that certain pitch that can vacate entire neighborhoods in minutes. Tori and I were walking around in Andersonville the other day when we heard a similar scream from a little girl in a stroller. She was not in pain, not scared; she just felt like screaming. And I felt like stuffing a sock in her mouth
( ... )
How is the way a little girl screams different from a little boy? Does "screams like a little boy" sound like it could be used in exactly the same way?
I believe I made the comparison clear. In my opinion, a little girl's scream is distinct from a little boy's. "Screams like a little boy" would not work because as loud as a little boy's scream is, it generally cannot top a little girl's scream in terms of pitch. And I noted that *I* do not consider the gender in the simile when I use it, just the sound. That does not mean others do not consider the gender of the simile when using it, only I don't. And I'm not saying this as if I'm some sensitive-type male; I've just always thought it's the sound of the scream itself that invites the comparison. And a little girl's scream is, in my opinion, distinct from a little boy's. Thus, in my opinion, the simile as I use it is not sexist.
However, research shows that there is no significant difference in vocal range or pitch between boys and girls pre-puberty. (Apfelstadt, 1983, 1984; Cooper, 1992; Rutkowski, 1989; Smale, 1987; Tatem, 1990; Wassum, 1979)Source
Therefore, it is my opinion that your opinion and the use of the phrase in question are colored by unconscious sexism.
I hate the term and I do find it incredibly sexist. I have never used and cannot imagine a scenario in which I would.
It is sexist because I hear in it the connotation that there is something shameful/weak/obnoxious in "screaming like a little girl", based on how and when it is used. It is most often said to men/boys (I don't think I have *ever* heard it used in reference to a girl/woman) and it seems to most often be used to poke fun at the behavior of men/boys. Very often men and boys are made fun of/degraded for exhibiting any behavior that could be perceived as stereotypically feminine--"screaming like a little girl" is just one example. I find that sexist and harmful to both men and women. It also puts yet another negative connotation on girls' behavior which I do not like.
Comments 14
And it's not about being weak or scared, it's about being loud and obnoxious and overly-dramatic. And having fun. Half the time when they are screaming, they are also laughing hysterically. So when I think of it as an expression I think of it as over-reacting or being a drama queen. Which is still sexist, but it's a different kind of sexist.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
(Apfelstadt, 1983, 1984; Cooper, 1992; Rutkowski, 1989; Smale, 1987; Tatem, 1990; Wassum, 1979)Source
Therefore, it is my opinion that your opinion and the use of the phrase in question are colored by unconscious sexism.
Reply
It is sexist because I hear in it the connotation that there is something shameful/weak/obnoxious in "screaming like a little girl", based on how and when it is used. It is most often said to men/boys (I don't think I have *ever* heard it used in reference to a girl/woman) and it seems to most often be used to poke fun at the behavior of men/boys. Very often men and boys are made fun of/degraded for exhibiting any behavior that could be perceived as stereotypically feminine--"screaming like a little girl" is just one example. I find that sexist and harmful to both men and women. It also puts yet another negative connotation on girls' behavior which I do not like.
Reply
Leave a comment