Words That Work ... or Don't

Money and Sex

Who wouldn’t be drawn to a headline — as I was — with this combination of hot-button words? Your imagination could lead you down a number of paths.

As I began reading, I discovered a report about male vs. female income differences. A more accurate, although less attention-getting headline, would have been “Money and Gender.” “Sex” and “gender” can have vastly different connotations.

How many forms or questionnaires ask you to indicate “sex” when the information sought really relates to gender?

And consider “maiden name,” a category on many forms to inquire about a woman’s pre-marriage name. What about men with name changes?

I attended school with someone I’ll call Henry Schultz who went into show business and became Matt Madison (not his real stage name), which he believed better portrayed his professional persona. Too many forms still use the outdated "maiden name," assuming that only women change their names. Matt would hardly list “Henry Schultz” in that category. A gender-neutral term such as “birth name” would be more inclusive for both males and females.

We’ve made progress in avoiding sexist terms, but we still have some work to do. How often have you heard someone refer to a “male nurse” or “woman attorney” when just nurse or attorney would suffice?

What about “man” used as a generic noun or “he” as a generic pronoun? Rewriting a sentence can be the best way to avoid the awkward he/she attempt to be inclusive.

Consider this gender-specific (i.e. sexist) wording:

“Man’s search for knowledge has led him to greater scientific understanding.”

Consider this gender-neutral rewrite:

“Our search for knowledge has led to greater scientific understanding.”

Here are some samples of male-oriented terms that can easily be changed to accurately reflect gender neutrality:

cave man / cave dweller • chairman / chair • forefathers / forebearers • mankind / humankind • salesman / sales associate, sales representative, sales agent • spokesman / representative

Strive for gender-neutral language in your writing and speaking to ensure clarity and sensitivity in all of your communication.

Ruthless Editor follows The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law guidelines for word and punctuation usage. Webster's New World College Dictionary serves as a secondary reference.

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