There are two reasons why "female" is problematic:
1. It refers to sex, not gender. I know many women who do not possess a vagina.
2. It sounds very clinical and sterile. It's appropriate for, say, a scientific survey, but not for addressing other humans with the respect they deserve.
1. It refers to sex, not gender. I know many women who do not possess a vagina. 2. It sounds very clinical and sterile. It's appropriate for, say, a scientific survey, but not for addressing other humans with the respect they deserve.
I don't refer to 'men' as 'males,' either.