Gen Soc
Uploaded by
zeyinchi.1Gen Soc
Uploaded by
zeyinchi.1KINDS OF SEXIST LANGUAGE
Language that Fosters Unequal Gender Relations:
Inconsistencies and lack of parallelism in language usage (man and wife or
men and ladies are few examples)
Usage of terms highlighting an individual's gender in specifying professions,
like male or female nurses, accountants, or attorneys to name a few
The Need for Gender-Fair Language
Promotes equality
Reflects diversity and inclusivity
Empowers marginalized groups
Mx.
pronounced 'mux' or 'mix'
a gender-neutral title used for individuals who do not identify with traditional
titles such as Ms., Miss, Mrs., or Mr.
the earliest recorded use of Mx dates back to an article published in 1977.
accurately represents the identities of non-binary or transgender individuals or
anyone who wished to avoid the gender biases and expectations associated
with the traditional titles.
adopting gender-neutral titles such as Mx helps raise awareness of non-
binary and transgender identities within professional settings and provides an
appropriate title for those who identify as such.
The Singular "They"
the default use of masculine forms is a significant challenge in achieving
gender-inclusive communication in English
writers are encouraged to adopt the "they" pronoun to avoid assuming gender
identity.
Used in 2 primary situations:
A. When referring to a generic individual whose gender is unknown or irrelevant
to the context
B. When referring to a specific individual who uses "they" as their pronoun
recognized and accepted even in formal academic writing, as demonstrated
by the latest APA and MLA style guides.
Global Standards and Guidelines for Gender-Fair Language
UNITED NATIONS GUIDELINES
use of gender-neutral terms
avoidance of unnecessarily gendered language
promotion of equality in communication
Best Practices:
use non-discriminatory language
make gender visible when it is relevant to communication
EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR GENDER EQUALITY
guidelines for gender-neutral language
training and resources
implementation of strategies
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CULTURAL
ORGANIZATION (UNESCO) RECOMMENDATIONS
encouragement of inclusive language in education
support for media and communication sectors
advocacy for policy changes
Practical Guide to Gender-Fair Language
use gender-fair job titles
avoid unnecessarily gendered language
respect individual's pronouns
Speaking with Gender-Fair Language
use inclusive greetings
avoid gendered idioms
respect individuals' SOGIESC
Inclusive language in Digital Communication
profiles and forms written in gender-fair language
inclusive social media content
respectful online interactions
Role of Institutions
Academic institutions
Government and policy-making bodies
NGOs and civil society
to empower individuals to not diminish them and make them feel invisible, and
also promote the use of gender-fair language.
"Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others
to join you." -Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Socially Inclusive Language
Achieving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through Communication
Equity vs Equality
often used interchangeably but are different in terms of aspects
Equality is about sameness or fairness
Equity ensures that people gain the same access to opportunities by
addressing participation barriers
Intersectionality
interlocking systems of oppression and their combined effects
Gender Bias
occurs when widely held beliefs about gender affect how women and men are
evaluated in achievement-oriented contexts
comes from ideologies of men and women
DISABILITIES
Presentation of People with Disabilities in the Media
(UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs)
seldom coverage of people with disabilities in the media who are often
stereotyped and not appropriately represented:
as objects of pity, charity, or medical treatment
inspiration porn
"People with disabilities are a part of human diversity and should be portrayed
in a manner that respects their human rights"
Social Inclusion and Exclusion
Social Exclusion- process when individuals and groups are marginalized
from social, economic, and political systems of society
Social Inclusion- process where all individuals and groups in society are
allowed to access or engage in various social, economic, and political
systems
Guidelines for Disability-Inclusice Language
(The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
Use People-First Language
emphasizes the person, not the disability, by placing a reference to the person
or group before the reference to the disability
"Students with dyslexia", "women with intellectual disabilities", and "persons
with disabilities"
ask the person or group how they choose to identify
Avoid Labels and Stereotypes
PWDs should not be portrayed as inspirational or "superhuman"
Avoid labeling people and do not mention a person's disability or impairment
unless it is relevant, particularly in internal communications and emails
Disability should not be made invisible either
Do Not Use Condescending Euphemisms
Euphemisms- a denial of reality and a way to avoid talking about disabilities
and promote the belief that disability needs to be softened. (i.e., "differently-
abled" or "special needs or assistance")
Disability is Not an Illness or a Problem
PWDs should not be referred to as patients unless they are under medical
care
Expressions such as "suffers from", "afflicted with" or "stricken with" are
inappropriate
The term "victim" should not be used unless strictly relevant
Use Proper Language in Oral and Informal Speech
Most PWDs are comfortable with the words used in daily life
Ensuring a Socially and Culturally Inclusive Language
Language reflects respect or disrespect toward individuals and groups
Historical injustices shape biases embedded in language
Unconscious bias perpetuates harm, especially from groups in power
Recognizing bias can reveal inequities and drive change
Choosing inclusive language fosters respect and inclusivity
National and local arrs agencies can promote both inclusive language and
access to the arts, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and benefits in
the arts community
Choose a language that includes, not exclude, acknowledges, accepts, and
celebrates differences, and is welcoming to everyone
Avoid using indigenous and culture related terms in a insulting and derogatory
manner, or as a joke, either in the presence or absence of a member of an
indigenous group
Ensure that spaces are created towards intercultural approaches and
development
"If you don't have a lens that's been trained to look at how various forms of
discrimination come together, you're unlikely to develop a set of policies that
will be as inclusive as they need to be." -Kimberle Crenshaw
