Miss, Ms., Mrs. - But only Mr. Why??

[princesspumpkin]

Why are there different titles for women (depending on their marital status) yet only one title for men (no matter what their marital status is)? Does society feel that only women change once they become married or divorced, but not men? Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with being "Mrs.", but if we are going to distinguish single and married women by these titles, shouldn't we also do the same for men?

 

[Chuck S]

I think it has to do with the ancient concepts of women being "property". Ms. of course, is a fairly new addition. But Miss obviously indicated that the lady was available, Mrs. indictated she was "owned" or "protected"...also that she most likely had children.

"Mister" is probably an Olde English or Keltic form of "Master"

 

[Robinrs]

Your question is the precise reason Ms. was created... I guess I'm old enough to remember the day it was decided!

When I was a kid, I knew if my female teacher was married or not, but did NOT know if my male teachers were... it kind of confused me. I remember going over and over it in my women's studies courses and then comes MS....

It abandoned the ideology that a prefix would define a woman's marriage status, somewhat equalling Mr. I remember LOTS of people being against it at the beginning but now it's somewhat accepted.

I remember a not too popular song came out at the time called simply "Ms." Here are the lyrics I remember:

"And I call her Ms
She's so proud and strong
Ms.
She'll admit when she's wrong
I call her Ms.
She's so much woman
She don't have to try to be a MAN."

 

[shortbun]

When I'm asked for my "title" I simply reply, "Her Royal Highness." "Why" indeed!

 

[golfgal]

Technically, young boys are called "Master" to a young girl's "Miss", it just isn't used very often. "Ms" is a fairly recent term that became popular in the '70's.