The use of male pronouns to refer to men and women illustrates the operation of:

Question

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The use of male pronouns to refer to both men and women is an example of gendered language and reflects the patriarchal nature of many societies. Patriarchy refers to a social system in which men hold primary power and authority, and women are often subordinate to men. The use of male pronouns to refer to both sexes reinforces the idea that men are the default gender and that women are less important.

The Use of Male Pronouns to Refer to Men and Women