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From: features@ihuxf.UUCP (M.A. Zeszutko)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Spinsters defined
Message-ID: <2245@ihuxf.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 8-Jun-84 13:40:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxf.2245
Posted: Fri Jun  8 13:40:12 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 9-Jun-84 08:09:40 EDT
References: <1490@inmet.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 25

The following was included in a submission on the woman/fish/bicycle saying:

"Consider that the term spinster is still used for an unmarried
woman, while unmarried men are bachelors."

	The first time I had to have my name involved in a
real estate transaction, I was 18.  The lawyer termed me
"...a spinster...".  All of my friends were most amused.
	The second time, I had changed lawyers.  I found a professional
woman whose views matched mine.  This time, I was termed
"...an unmarried person...".  I still don't understand why my
marital status was so important (except as it may relate
to community property), but I was pleased at the change.

	Personally, I don't find the term spinster degrading.  It
has connotations of a woman who can take care of herself, without
having to rely on anyone else for help.  That is how the
term evolved...a spinster was a woman who spun wool or flax for
thread, making a living out of it, like a webster was a woman weaver,
a brewster was one who brewed beverages, etc.

Don't know about the rest of you, but even if I should marry, I would
still consider myself (historically) a spinster.
Mary Ann Zeszutko  AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
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