Why bother to avoid gender-specific language?
Traditionally, writers in the English language have used masculine identifiers and pronouns to address the idea of the “Universal Singular”-terms like “mankind,” “men of faith” “Master”-and so on. For centuries, the patriarchal system of English and American society was reinforced by the use of the pronoun referent “he.” Because of the use of masculine language, women were, in the main, considered less than men or simply not considered at all. Our language shapes our culture-and to be systematically denied recognition has a rather disenfranchising effect on women. The minister of a local church once said, “We need to elect a property chairman so that he can get the church’s roof fixed!” Only men can chair committees? Are males the only gender capable of picking up the phone and contacting a roofer? • How can you avoid using gender-specific language? First, recognize that your inclination to write in the masculine doesn’t make you a creep. Most likely, it is the language of your younger
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- Why bother to avoid gender-specific language?
