Avoiding sexist language

Did you ever think that what you say can be interpreted as sexist?

Women are usually careful not to purposefully subordinate their gender, yet may be inadvertently participating in sexism. We often hear a common greeting to a group of men and women with “Hey, guys!”

Imagine greeting the same group of women and men with “Hey, girls,” or “Hello, ladies.” The men surely would be taken aback. Many women are becoming oblivious to the gendering of the terminology they are accustomed to hearing and use themselves.

There is also a disparity between negative and positive words used to describe women and men when comparing similar accomplishments. The man who is climbing the business ladder is called goal-oriented and driven and praised for leadership qualities. A woman navigating the same route is often termed bossy, domineering or overbearing or referred to by the negative “B” word that we hear all too often.

Regarding mixed-gendered populations, men got the titles and women got left out. Hurrah to the female (and male) town officials “allowing” the term selectwoman or selectperson, to be used in place of selectMAN. Women in Congress may no longer have to be called congressMAN.

Female president, anybody?

Becoming aware that you are an unwilling participant in sexism can be humbling, but it is an important step for challenging yourself to avoid sexist language.

Since the mid-1970s, guidelines have been in place and used by educators to avoid sexist language.

What about those of us who were born and raised before that? Well, that’s where realization and accountability come in.

Much of the language we use is habitual.

MANkind leaves me out. Humankind includes me.

Dianne McDonald, Marshfield