A guide for educators
Adopting Gender-Fair Language UPLB Gender Center
A PUZZliNG SITUATION A father and his son were driving to a ball game when their car stalled on the railroad tracks. In the distance a train whistle blew a warning. Frantically, the father tried to start the engine, but in his panic, he couldn’t turn the key, and the car was hit by the onrushing train. An ambulance sped to the scene and picked them up. On the way to the hospital, the father died. The son was still alive but his condition was very serious, and he needed immediate surgery. The moment they arrived at the hospital, he was wheeled into an emergency operating room, and the surgeon came in, expecting a routine case. However, on seeing the boy the surgeon blanched and muttered, “I can’t operate on this boy—he’s my son.” How can this be? 2
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How did you find explaining the surgeon’s dilemma? Is the answer immediately obvious for you? Douglas Hofstadter, the man who posed the problem, is adamant that the puzzle takes readers a few minutes to figure out the answer. He suggests that readers think it though primarily because the words people use have “default assumptions.” In answering the puzzle, readers likely assume that the surgeon is male, perhaps, because most doctors are men. While this assumption is somehow based on fact, the subtle tyranny of words is that people likely don’t deliberately think of their response. Thus, in the puzzle, we somehow fail to recognize that not all doctors are men and unconsiously overlook the contributions of other genders in the field of medicine. What more if we use words which exclude a group of people based on their gender? 4
GENDER FAIRNESS IN LANGUAGE Male nurse‌ Woman doctor‌ Stewardess... The words we use often reflect unconscious gender-role assumptions. In particular, sexist language perpetuates sex-role stereotypes and augments bias of not visualizing an environment comprising both males and females. In effect, it causes costs because of absences, lack of motivation, and friction losses. Such cost is very evident in the distribution of men and women in various fields in which some are male dominated while others are female dominated. Concern on sexist language or exclusionary wording can be addressed by using gender-fair language.
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Gender-fair language is the use of words in writing and in speech in such a way where no gender bias is expressed or no gender is being limited and trivialized. The use of gender-fair language aims to promote gender equality through eliminating biased terms that exclude, constrain or discriminate people based on their gender. As an educator in the university, you do not only impart knowledge to the students, but also influence their choice of career and ultimately their perception of their roles in the society. Thus, using gender-fair language is necessary during discussions or any other activities inside and outside class.
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CREATE BALANCE Avoid using he and his to represent both male and female as it excludes the latter or vice versa.
Use double pronouns Original: Each student shall pass his paper before the deadline. Gender-fair: Each student shall pass his or her paper before the deadline.
Drop Possessive Pronouns or substitute with an article Original: The average student is worried about his grades. Gender-fair: The average student is worried about grades. 7
Use Plural form instead of the singular form Original: If a student studies hard, he will succeed. Gender-fair: Students who study hard will succeed.
use first- or secondperson pronouns Original: The student should pass his requirements on time. Gender-fair: You should pass your requirements on time.
SUBSTItute he/his with one/ one’s Original: He might wonder what his grade would be. Gender-fair: One might wonder what one’s grade would be. 8
Use the passive voice Original: Each student should hand in his paper promptly. Gender-fair: Papers should be handed in promptly.
Substitute a participial phrase for a clause to recast a sentence Original: Listen to the two-year-old as he uses his short, simple sentences to communicate. Gender-fair: Listen to the two-year-old using short, simple sentences to communicate.
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ESTABLISH BALANCE
Like he, avoid using man to represent both men and women as it excludes and abates the contributions and worth of the latter.
USE INCLUSIONARY ALTERNATIVES Biased: mankind, freshman, man the controls Gender-fair: humanity/human beings/people, first-year student, take charge of
Avoid using terms which specify gender Biased: businessman/businesswoman; steward/ stewardess Gender-fair: business executive, manager, businessperson; flight attendant
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PROMOTE GENDER EQUITY
Obstruct inequitable assumptions about males and females by using more inclusive titles, labels, and names.
identify men and women in the same way. avoid unneccessary details Biased: male nurse, lady lawyer Gender-fair: nurse, lawyer
avoid statements that reinforce sex-role stereotypes Original: This is a man-sized job. Gender-fair: This is a complex (huge, enormous, difficult) job. 11
avoid using courtesy titles that labels which regard relationship (martial status, etc.) Original: Miss, Mrs.; Mr. and Mrs. Juan dela Cruz Gender-fair: Ms.; Ms. Juana dela Cruz and Mr. Juan dela Cruz
Avoid unnecessary labels based on gender Biased: lady pitcher; lady guard Gender-fair: pitcher; guard For a more comprehensive guide on gender fair language, visit the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) website at www.ncte.org/positions/
statements/genderfairuseoflang
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On PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY The promotion of gender equality is not just limited to a few. Our everyday acts and speeches can make a diffence in making the world a more gender-responsive place. 1. Acknowledge and recognize the contributions of all genders equally. 2. Give all sexes similar tasks. 3. Establish collaboration between and among sexes to make all their voices heard. 4. Value intellect over physical attributes. 5. Encourage females to lead as often as males. 6. Avoid comments or humor that reinforces sex-role stereotypes.
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Help build a Gender-Responsive institution.
Adopt
Gender-Fair instruction.
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BRAIN STRETCHING Rewrite the following sentences to genderfair sentences. 1. The policeman was brave enough to stop the robbers last night. 2. All men are created equal. 3. The land lady is asking for the payment of the dormers.
Answers on the next page...
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1. Answer: The police officer was brave enough to stop the robbers last night. Policeman is a biased term as the suffix -man excludes women in the representation of the given entity. To be gender-fair, the term police officer should be used. 2. Answer: We are all created equal. Obstruct the notion that men/man is a general term that represents all gender. To be gender-fair, you may opt to use a more specific pronoun, or drop the word itself and use an article (e.g., drop the word men and replace it with pronoun we). 3. Answer: The building manager is asking for the payment of the dormers. Avoid occupational reference biased term. There is no need to specify the gender of the person to describe careers which both men and women can do. Therefore, gender-fair occupational reference terms should be used. 16
UPLB GENDER CENTER The University of the Philippines Los Baùos Gender Center is the University’s focal point in gender and development concerns in instruction, research extension, and services. It was created during the 1234th meeting of the Board of Regents in 2008. The Gender Center consists of three offices to strengthen the strategic thrusts of the University as a proactive protector of genderrelated human rights. These offices are Gender for Rural Development Office, Reproductive Health Office, and Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment.
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PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS Cross and transdisciplinary programs for curriculum development Research programs in agriculture, environment, science and technology Training, outreach and service programs
SERVICES OFFERED
Receive complaints of sexual harassment cases Gender sensitivity and anti-sexual harassment orientations Hold campus-wide seminars Produce information, education, and communication materials Coordinate special counseling Medical and social needs to address reproductive health concerns Counseling and referral program
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UPLB GENDER CENTER Mezzanine Floor, Graduate School, International House Complex, UP Los Ba単os, College Laguna Contact Number: (049) 501-1844 Email: gendercenter@uplb.edu.ph uplbgenderctr@facebook.com http://www.facebook.com/uplbgenderctr http://www.twitter.com/UPLBGenderCtr 19
This manual was produced by the UPLB Gender Center.