Monday 27 August 2007

When does a 'Miss' become a 'Ms'?

I ask this question because i feel i am at a crossroads. I look at my name in print sometimes and i wonder if the title 'Miss' is still appropriate for me.

I did some research and there does not appear to be any general consensus. To one person, 'Miss' refers to an unmarried woman aged under 25. To another, it refers to an unmarried woman, full stop.

'Mrs' clearly refers to a married woman, or a married woman who has chosen to take on her husband's surname and relinquish her maiden name.

'Ms', apparently was introduced at the height of the feminist movement, in order to level the playing field between men and women, under the premise that the title 'Mr' was used to refer to all men, regardless of their marital status, and hence woman should be afforded the same right. Some believe it is used when you do not want people to know your marital status. Others believe it is used for the more mature unmarried woman.

I think i would instinctively go with the last definition for 'Ms'. To me, the use of the title 'Miss' after a certain age conjures images of an old spinster who probably works in a Library and lives alone with her cats (forgive the stereotype).


However, the title 'Ms' at the same stage in life would be more likely to convey the image of a so-called strong, independent career woman.



Hmm, I was just wondering...........

25 comments:

AbujaBabe said...

I was wondering where the Music was Coming From!!...

Tunneee! Ndambi's My Girl!!

Ok let me go read the post now..lol

Thirty + said...

Ms sounds better, then again how many times do you get to be called Ms, Miss or Mrs.

Admin UD said...

Ms Undacovasista, how are you today? How does that soud, hope cool!

One!!

bighead said...

If you marry agent atutupoyoyo as he suggested in the last entry, there'll be no need for this dilemma, would there?

Anonymous said...

Another demonstration (as if any further were required) of the unquestionable benefits of being male (even if one is only, like myself, marginally so).

I guess you'll just have to stick with what sounds best to you. "Ms." certainly has a more professional ring to it - but, then again, what is it that Shakespeare said? "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet."

UndaCovaSista said...

@ abujababe - Welcome and pls, allow me to congratulate you on your exceptional taste in music (lol). Any fan of Ndambi is a friend of mine..

@30+ - you're right. very rarely. I guess i meant when you fill out forms etc

@Ugo - I'm very well thank you, Mr Daniels. How do you do?;0)

@Bighead - Lol. okey dokey. i hereby wish to be referred to as Mrs Undacova Atutupoyoyo. How about that, eh?

@Raven Chukwu - ??????? @ (even if one is only, like myself, marginally so). Hold on, let me go and have a look at your profile.....

UndaCovaSista said...

@raven chuckwu - Well, i'm back and still none the wiser. Just curious to know how one is marginally male...

Anonymous said...

Forgive my ambiguity.

I just have these issues with "identifying" with groups - even if it's one in which external observers would naturally place me.

I'm biologically male (and about this there is no doubt) but when it comes to the whole Mars/Venus (supposed) psychological dichotomy I find myself something of a fence sitter.

UndaCovaSista said...

@Raven chukwu - okay, i kinda see what you mean now. Hmm, food for thought. Thanks for stopping by BTW..

DB said...

hi! first time! cool blog!

'Miss' sounds like something my dad used to call his overly young student teacher in those days.
reminds me of a young naive girl with pointing breasts. (not that mine have fallen)
I, personally, usually associate Ms. with divorcées

Ubong Da said...

Miss, Ms, Mrs does it really matter so far as you are happy with your current status in life.

UndaCovaSista said...

@ eccentric nana - I think i'm even more puzzled now than i originally was. Glad to hear that your breasts are still defying gravity! (lol). Thanks for stopping by...

@ubong da - i'm extremely content with my current status in life, but i'd still like to know..

Ms. Catwalq said...

I am a hot Miss Ms. Everyother thing na yarns

Jerusalem said...

I always use Ms. I think it has a mature, sexy feel to it, conjuring up images of a woman who's totally at ease with herself.

As for your sister. I hear you. My blog is totally undercover and if anybody should find out who I am, I'm toast. Till this day, I don't how that Christian Writer discovered my blog as I was happy blogging away to my non-audience. But that's the internet for you. Nowhere to hide.

Atutupoyoyo said...

Mrs Undacova Poyoyo!! I have barely been away a week and blogville knows our secret. Undacova you are not living up to your name o!

I don't blame you sha! I too have been showing off my ring to all my mates.

Rinsola said...

i guess Ms sounds better, but only on paper is that noted.

UndaCovaSista said...

@catwalq - Infact you are too hot for words, girlfriend...now can i have a spot in the Academie? (lol)

@ Jerusalem - I agree, Ms definitely sounds better. On the other issue, i'm not happy about the possibility of my cover being blown, but its just too much stress to start over.

@ Atutu -Excuuuuuuuuuuse me?! Even the President heard of your proposal. Not so secret, hunh?Besides, Bighead's smartass comment deserved an answer :o)

@ Rinsola - Definitely on paper! How do you pronounce Ms anyways. Umms? Mers?

uknaija said...

I think all women should use Ms, end of story, regardless of age

Queen of My Castle said...

I'm a fan of the 'Ms' title myself. Something about it screams sexy strong femininity, IMO.

UndaCovaSista said...

@UKNaija - baby steps, methinks..(lol)

@Queen of my castle - I can live with that :0D

cinnamonqueen said...

I am a fan of Ms as well :)

Fo said...

good to knw u still here and posting....to me it makes no difference...just that we got two titles more than MEN!!...lol

UndaCovaSista said...

@ cinnamonqueen - ehm, unless i've been reading your blog wrong, you're actually a 'mrs'...(lol)

@ fatoumatta- i like your thinking, girl..

Carlang said...

Miss.
Ms...
i think it all sounds boring.
we should change it.
redefine the english language..
hell they do it all the time.

lets see...
ms would become. er....Regniton
yes!!!
Regniton.
Regniton Undercoversister.
and Miss would become...
er..
Plikthingzenxc
yes!!
see...
come...
lets start the revolution.
who is with me.
You Plikthingzenxc abujababe..
or you Plikthingzenxc 30+
come on...
who is with me.
lets shake the system..
lets shake...
phew...\i need another drink.
this is hard work.
lol.


miss ms ..what;s the difference...
long as you're you!!

UndaCovaSista said...

@carlang - yes i am me, but we still need titles!!!
Ta for stopping by..