Adopting Gender-Fair

Language

A guide for educators

UPLB Gender Center

A PUZZliNG SITUATIONA 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?

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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?

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.

GENDER FAIRNESS IN 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 BALANCEAvoid using he and his to represent both male and female as it excludes the latter or vice versa.

Use double pronounsOriginal: Each student shall pass his paper before the deadline.Gender-fair: Each student shall pass his or her paper before the deadline.

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Drop Possessive Pronouns or substitute with an articleOriginal: The average student is worried about his grades.Gender-fair: The average student is worried about grades.

use first- or second-person pronounsOriginal: The student should pass his requirements on time.Gender-fair: You should pass your requirements on time.

SUBSTItute he/his with one/one’sOriginal: He might wonder what his grade would be. Gender-fair: One might wonder what one’s grade would be.

Use Plural form instead of the singular formOriginal: If a student studies hard, he will succeed.Gender-fair: Students who study hard will succeed.

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Substitute a participial phrase for a clause to recast a sentenceOriginal: 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.

Use the passive voiceOriginal: Each student should hand in his paper promptly.Gender-fair: Papers should be handed in promptly.

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ESTABLISH BALANCELike he, avoid using man to represent both men and women as it excludes and abates the contributions and worth of the latter.

USE INCLUSIONARY ALTERNATIVESBiased: mankind, freshman, man the controlsGender-fair: humanity/human beings/people, first-year student, take charge of

Avoid using terms which specify genderBiased: businessman/businesswoman; steward/stewardessGender-fair: business executive, manager, businessperson; flight attendant

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 detailsBiased: male nurse, lady lawyerGender-fair: nurse, lawyer

avoid statements that reinforce sex-role stereotypesOriginal: This is a man-sized job.Gender-fair: This is a complex (huge, enormous, difficult) job.

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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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avoid using courtesy titles that labels which regard relationship (martial status, etc.)Original: Miss, Mrs.; Mr. and Mrs. Juan dela CruzGender-fair: Ms.; Ms. Juana dela Cruz and Mr. Juan dela Cruz

Avoid unnecessary labels based on genderBiased: lady pitcher; lady guardGender-fair: pitcher; guard

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On PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY

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.

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.

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Help build a Gender-Responsive

institution.

Adopt Gender-Fair

instruction.

BRAIN STRETCHINGRewrite the following sentences to gender-

fair 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.

2. Answer: We are all created equal.

3. Answer: The building manager is asking for the payment of the dormers.

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.

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).

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

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UPLB GENDER CENTER

The University of the Philippines Los Baños

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 gender-related human rights.

These offices are Gender for Rural

Development Office, Reproductive Health Office, and Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment.

PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Cross and transdisciplinary programs for curriculum development

Research programs in agriculture, environment, science and technology

Training, outreach and service programs

SERVICES OFFEREDReceive 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 18

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UPLB GENDER CENTERMezzanine Floor, Graduate School, International House Complex, UP Los Baños, College Laguna

Contact Number: (049) 501-1844

Email: gendercenter@uplb.edu.phuplbgenderctr@facebook.com

http://www.facebook.com/uplbgenderctr

http://www.twitter.com/UPLBGenderCtr

This manual was produced by the

UPLB Gender Center.