A second invitation to the "SHE" question

[Mr 5 0]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mustangbelle306

I just wanted to take the time to respond to the ORIGINAL question...if your knowledge of history is even slightly acceptable, you would know that throughout the ages, property has been referred to with female pronouns, since women themselves were also considered property for thousands of years. Seems like a pretty simple answer to me, and anyone that paid attention in school will know that

Anyone else have a different answer?

Yes.

That 'females were considered property ' is historical fact but I disagree that this explains why guys call their cars by female names or 'she'.

First, I believe that since it's primarily males that are car fanatics they naturally call that which they like and feel close to by the pronoun 'she'.

Historically, ships were the main mode of long-distance transportation as well as a vehicle to make money (fishing, whaling, etc) and they were always referred to as 'she', probably for the same basic reason. Men were the Captains and crew members and men named their treasured possession a 'she' as they valued the ship (now a car) in a similar way that they valued their women.

The fact that females use the pronoun 'he' makes perfect sense - for exactly the same reason.

Contrary to feminist teaching and belief, not all of human history is that of male oppression of females - many cultures have valued woman as partners and wives, not slaves (possessions) - and although I'm sure you didn't mean to infer anything negative in your brief analysis I would just as soon adopt my view of the basis for 'she' being used to identify a man's Mustang.

I find it not only more positive but also probably closer to reality...and you did ask for different answers. That's mine.