Concerned with other people's needs and happiness more than your own; generous and kind.
From the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') plus 'selfish' (from 'self' plus the suffix '-ish' meaning 'somewhat' or 'having the quality of'). The term gained prominence in English during the 19th century as concepts of morality and altruism became more philosophically discussed.
It's interesting that we often define good behavior by negation—'unselfish,' 'unhappy,' 'unkind'—rather than creating new positive words, suggesting that in English we sometimes think of virtue as simply the absence of vice rather than something powerful in itself.
Self-sacrifice framed as female virtue; women historically valued for erasure of self. Pressure to be 'unselfish' has reinforced gendered expectations of servitude.
Use 'generous,' 'considerate,' or 'other-oriented' to describe actions without gendered virtue framing. Recognize selfishness vs. self-care distinction.
["generous","considerate","other-oriented","collaborative"]
Women's historical right to selfhood and self-interest has been erased through virtue language; acknowledge that self-care is not selfishness.
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