This is one of my major pet peeves, particularly when I see so many women referring to other women as girls. Mayim Bialik is a neuroscientist as well as an actress, and she's speaking the truth when she says this dichotomy in how we speak of people influences how we view women vis-a-vis respect, competence, etc. Until 50 years ago women were considered to be social children. They couldn't get a home loan or a credit card in their own name, to name just a few examples. Calling adult females "girl" is a hold-over from this time, which is reinforced by our culture's preoccupation with youth for women.

This was a really well done story, although it disturbs me just how deeply entrenched this all still is.