I just don't get the need to make gender specific versions of other words.
I think the term actor has become gender neutral in recent years.
To avoid sexual discrimination in the industry (Example: Screen
Actors Guild Awards).
A doctor is still a doctor, regardless of being male or female.
I completely understand the LGBT standpoint and also the fact that everything nowadays has to be politically correct in order for it not to be offensive, but that's not really what I meant by my question.
Academic achievements have always been gender unspecific because they reflect the qualification obtained rather than the person's gender that holds them. I just find it annoying when reading a synopsis on a film for example that sometimes I can't tell whether it's a female or male leading role and whatnot, which detracts from the synopsis.
There are many gender specific titles and personally I just think that an actress calling herself an actor is "political correctness" gone mad! What the hell's wrong with being called an actress for goodness sake???!!!
Examples of gender marking in job titles:
Policeman vs Policewoman
Author vs Authoress
Steward vs Stewardess
Chairman vs Chairwoman
Salesman vs Saleswoman
Comedian vs Comedienne
Boats are commonly referred to as being female, ie. "SHE'S a beautiful yacht." Should the boat be offended? :noidea:
Personally, I just think that actresses who call themselves actors are jumping on the "politically correct" bandwagon and should rejoice in their sexuality rather than lowering their intellectual standards by associating themselves with a "male specific" title.
EDIT: Maybe all females should have male names in future...that way we can all be politically correct and totally bloody confused all at the same time!