AVOIDING SEXIST LANGUAGE

Sexist language is language that unnecessarily identifies gender.  It can take several forms:

1.   a pronoun that denotes a single sex when the information being conveyed pertains equally to either or both sexes

Ex.  Every student should have his notebook with him in class.

(appropriate at an all-male school)

2. a job title that links the job to a single sex when either sex can perform the job

Ex.  fireman, mailman, policeman

3.   a single sex pronoun in conjunction with a neutral job title, so that the implication is that the job “belongs” to a single sex

Ex.  The nurse awoke her patient at five a.m.

4.   any other use of language that unnecessarily and arbitrarily makes gender distinctions

Ex.  early man used a system of gestures to communicate

To Avoid Sexist Language

            Although it may often seem that avoiding sexist language can lead one into using awkward or grating constructions, it is also possible to use gender-neutral language gracefully and unobtrusively.  For example:

            Pronouns:

            When using pronouns, you have several choices.  Pick the one that seems most natural in context:

1. Change singular nouns to plurals and use a gender neutral pronoun, or try to avoid the pronoun entirely:

Instead of:  Each student must have his notebook with him in class.

Use: All students must have notebooks with them in class.

Instead of:  A Senator who cannot finish his term of office…

Use:  A Senator who cannot finish the term of office…

2. If you think you must use a singular adjective like “each” or “every,” try to avoid using a pronoun:

Instead of:  Each student must hand in his homework on Thursday.

Use:  Each student must hand in the assigned homework on Thursday.

3.   When using a job title, try to eliminate the pronoun:

Instead of:  The nurse awoke her patient.

Use:  The nurse awoke the patient.

Instead of:  A truck driver should plan his route carefully.

Use:  A truck driver should plan the travel route carefully.

4.  When eliminating the pronoun seems unavoidable,

a.  use both male and female pronouns:

Instead of:  A student should meet with his advisor.

Use: A student should meet with his or her advisor.

b.  alternate make and female pronouns throughout the paper (but this can be tricky, since is can make the paper confusing).         

c.   Choose a single sex pronoun and use it consistently throughout the paper.  But be especially careful not to do this in a way that will perpetuate stereotypes.

For example, it might be unwise to use “he” and “him” when talking about professions stereotypically associated with males; e.g., engineering.

d.   Be careful about using constructions like his/her, she/he.  Many readers find these awkward and distracting.  Check with your instructors for their preferences (or check with your instructor for his or her preference).

Titles:

Instead of sex-linked titles, try neutral titles:

Fireman – fireperson is awkward, but firefighter is not

Policeman – policeperson sounds silly, but police officer sounds natural

Mailman – mailperson seems awkward, postal worker does not

Cleaning woman – house cleaner, office cleaner, custodian are all preferable

Poetess – poet can be either a woman or a man and does not sound as if a woman poet is so odd that she needs a special appellation

Miscellaneous matters:

1.  Avoid using “man” as a noun when you are really referring to men and women

Ex.  Early man used a system of gestures to communicate

Rather, say:  Early humans used…

Early men and women…

2.    Although alternative spellings for words referring to gender are favored by some (example:  womyn, herstory), in general in academic work these will be a problem.  We suggest using traditional spelling or checking with your instructor.

REV 5/93

Adapted from – 

THE WRITING CENTER

Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut