At what age do you start calling a female a "woman" or a male a "man"?

Question

Like if you are talking about someone, at what age do you start saying "This woman came up to me..." instead of "This girl came up to me..."

At what age, if you're writing for the news, was the crime commited by a "man" instead of a "boy"? When was it commited by a "woman" instead of a "girl"?

I'm not sure if this q pertains to anthropology or psychology or whatevs.

Answer 1

It all depends on your age!

I'm 120, and I refer to any women under 110, as "young girls"...

Answer 2

I would have to agree, it is based on life experiences and level of maturity.

Answer 3

The anthropologist answer to this is very clear cut - at sexual maturity. The beginning of menses for a woman and a viable production of sperm for men.

Answer 4

It's best to call a male a "man" or a female a "woman" when they're 21 and older or when their appearance makes them look like an adult.Or maybe how mature they are. :)

Answer 5

Most likely when that person is or looks like an adult, the age period can change from the age you think a person turns into an adult. And for when someone has committed a crime they would be a called man or woman when an adult.

For me I think an adult is 18 years of age.

Answer 6

i agree with lodidodi. i do not someone a man or woman until at least their 30's. 18 is still a teenager.

Answer 7

I usuall refer o a female as WOMAN, if she in her mid 20's, or has kids, otherwise I say GIRL.

For a male i dont consider him a man until maybe 30, so i say GUY instead of boy

Answer 8

Eighteen.  Ask most people, and the answer will be the same for a male, but a female is a girl until she's about sixty, sometimes older.

Answer 9

I use those terms based upon maturity and experience, not age.

Answer 10

I still call them boy and girl