Oh great, a new demeaning term for women: Introducing TWITs (Teenage Women In their Thirties)

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  Posted by Lettie Mon Aug 3, 2009 1:45pm PDT

  What I want to know is who is the "We" you keep referring to in your article. Who cares! Seriously, if a woman can't live her life and just live w/out worrying needlessly about what people are calling her or thinking about her, than that woman needs help living her life!

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  Posted by Dan Mon Aug 3, 2009 1:48pm PDT

  I'm a guy and I deal with the same exact thing (well almost). I'm 33 and single. Actually, I don't even date. I'm disabled and the reasons I don't date fall partly to my disabilites, and partly to my personaility traits. In a nutshell, I don't care for settling down. I like women, I like dating, but I also like being single and prefer being alone. I don't mind not going out, and I don't mind being a virgin. I do date on occassion, but nothing serious. And sex is just not that big of a deal to me. Yeah, I've got needs (sexual, social, etc), but I do fine alone, they all get met one way or the other. And the idea of any woman yapping my ears off all day, or begging for money to burn, or begging for emotional support or time together, drives me up the wall. I'm not into all that b.s.

  My parents though have always told me to find a woman and settle down. That's just not me. I'm too much of a lone wolf, always have been. I'd go nuts in a day. Maybe one day I'll want it or possibly even need it, but not right now.

  I've been labled as a commitment phobe, a homo, a rebel, a freak, abnormal, a person who lacks self respect, an overgrown child, blah, blah, blah. None of it is true. People are going to say what they want to say and believe what they're going to believe. They'll label you whatever they like based only on what their minds percieve to be true. Be happy with who you are and forget the naysayers and enjoy your life as you see fit. Only you know what's right for you.

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  Posted by Jett Mon Aug 3, 2009 1:51pm PDT

  Hmm. I hadn't heard of this acronym until you just mentioned it, but since you brought up the topic, I hate it that everyone now refers to women of ANY age as "girls." It wasn't so long ago that a female over the age of 17 would have been insulted to be referred to as a girl. Even in "The Fantastic Four," which was made only about 4 years ago, Jessica Alba's character is pissed when her brother initially names her the Invisible Girl.

  Yet, in Sex and the City, the four characters were the Girls, even though they were in their 30s and 40s. I've heard people refer to old ladies as "girls." Isn't there a point at which that term become demeaning? Why can't we just say "women" anymore? We don't call a grown man a "boy" unless he's acting extremely childish. So, what connotation does the word "girl" have when used in reference to a 30-year-old female. It just seems very derogatory to me. That's just me.

  The only real alternative for the word "man" is "guy." (Nobody uses "dude" in real conversation.) Yet for women there are "girl," "lady," "chick," "babe," and (once upon a time) "doll." Why is that?

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  Posted by Jett Mon Aug 3, 2009 1:54pm PDT

  However I'm not bothered by the terms "cougar" or "puma." I'd never even heard the term "cougar" until just the other day, and still have never heard of a "puma," until just now in your article. Apparently it's not as widely used as you thought. I see your point though.

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  Posted by springtime Mon Aug 3, 2009 1:58pm PDT

  If these 30-something women are out partying with 18 year old guys, that's crude. If they are hanging out partying every night of the week with age appropriate friends, all is well in the world. There are far too many 19 year olds who married and immediately got pregnant and missed that wonderful part of life.

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  Posted by Mrs. P Mon Aug 3, 2009 1:59pm PDT

  I am tired of all of these abbreviations...I can't keep up with them all.

  People are so lazy.

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  Posted by Doktor Eevol Mon Aug 3, 2009 2:05pm PDT

  Thanks for posting this. It's always been my understanding that Peter Pan syndrome applies to both genders, so this is news to me that women "need" an equivalent slogan just for them.

  Yeah, as if it's somehow MORE outrageous that a WOMAN (gasp!) might make the same choice not to settle down or have kids that a man has. How shocking! *rolls eyes*

  "Do you think that there are certain guidelines women should adhere to once they reach their thirties?"

  Hell to the NO. And I don't care what people think of my shriveling ovaries. Yay shriveling ovaries!

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  Posted by Doktor Eevol Mon Aug 3, 2009 2:09pm PDT

  "The only real alternative for the word "man" is "guy." (Nobody uses "dude" in real conversation.) Yet for women there are "girl," "lady," "chick," "babe," and (once upon a time) "doll." Why is that?"

  I've noticed that too, and I am equally offended by it. It's trivializing and demeaning. (Don't forget the word "broad"... gah!)

  Plus, "Silver fox" doesn't sound nearly as threatening as cougar or puma.

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  Posted by Doktor Eevol Mon Aug 3, 2009 2:11pm PDT

  "And the idea of any woman yapping my ears off all day, or begging for money to burn, or begging for emotional support or time together, drives me up the wall. I'm not into all that b.s."

  Thanks for being kind enough NOT to subject a woman to that kind of attitude.

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  Posted by Pegglecat MacO'Hoolihan Mon Aug 3, 2009 2:14pm PDT

  Yeah, what's a puma? I think anyone that would have called me a TWIT would have received a strong kick from my steel-toed boot, though. I spent my 30's working hard. Just because you don't have kids doesn't mean you don't have any responsibilities.

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