At what age do you stop being a “girlfriend”?  Or stop having a “boyfriend”? 

I assume as a teenager you had a boyfriend, and also in your 20s.  But, I hope you haven’t had a boyfriend in 30s,40s, 50s, etc.  You are too old to be witha boy!  Nor, should you be someone’s girlfriend.  

Our language is not prepared for adult single women.  Our language is geared for a society where boys and girls get married young -- while still boys and girls. It is totally unprepared for a society with adult men and women who are “dating.”  That’s another word left over from days of yore.  Adolescents, boyfriends and girlfriends, go out on dates. What do adult men and women do?   There is no adult comparable word.

What words do you use?  Mate? Partner?  Significant other?  Hanging out?  Going out with?

If you have never thought about this, you may say I’m making much ado about nothing.  But, think about the Woman’s Movement.  Think about the Civil Rights Movement.  Language makes a big difference, and should be chosen by those for whom the language applies.

What words do you like?  Write me and share them.