French PM: OK, No More 'Mademoiselle'

Term will no longer be included on official paperwork
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 22, 2012 12:39 PM CST
French PM: OK, No More 'Mademoiselle'
No more Ms. Nice Mademoiselle: France has banned the honorific, now using only "madame."   (Shutterstock)

French feminists have successfully done away with the term "mademoiselle." After much uproar over the honorific, PM Francois Fillon has agreed that it should be removed as an option on French paperwork, meaning women will no longer have to choose between "madame" (for married women) and "mademoiselle" (for all the single ladies) on official documents such as tax forms, voting cards, and insurance claims, the BBC reports.

Men have only ever had one option, "monsieur," which applies to both married and unmarried men. Feminist groups applauded the change, but want to make sure it is actually applied. "Everywhere we are asked to declare our marital status. This is not imposed on men, it's not important whether they are married," says one. Another paperwork change: The options "maiden name" and "spouse's name" will be replaced by "family name." (More madame stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X