OrientationObservationIn-depth interviewsDocument analysis and semiologyConversation and discourse analysisSecondary Data
SurveysExperimentsEthicsResearch outcomes
Conclusion
The British Sociological Association (1989) issued guidelines to assist its members in avoiding sexist language by sensitizing people to some of the forms it takes and suggesting anti-sexist alternatives. This continues to be a useful guide for English language speakers and writers.
'He/Man' Language
Do not use 'man' to mean humanity in general. Similarly, where reference to both sexes is intended do not use the word man or other masculine equivalents. For example:
Sexist
Anti-sexist
man/mankind
person, people, human beings
mankind
men and women, humanity, humankind
the man in the street
people in general
layman
lay person
man-made
synthetic, artificial, manufactured
the rights of man
peoples'/citizens' rights, the rights of the individual (unless quoting the title of a document)
chairman
chairperson, chair
foreman
supervisor
manpower
workforce, staff, labour power
craftsman/men
craftsperson/people
manning
staffing, working, running
to a man
everyone, unanimously, without exception
man hours
work hours
the working man
workers, working people
one man show
one person show
forefathers
ancestors
founding fathers
founders
old masters
classic art/artists
masterful
domineering, very skilful
master copy
top copy, original
Dear Sirs
Dear Madam/Sir
Yours fraternally
Best wishes, yours sincerely
policeman/fireman
police officer/fire fighter
businessmen
business people
waitress
server
male nurse
nurse
It is important, as the last three examples show, to avoid assuming that jobs are gender specific. Not all people who serve at tables in restaurants are waitresses. Where the reference is to a particular waiter or a particular waitress then it is appropriate to use the term. Not all nurses are female. Not all police officers are policemen, not all fire fighters are firemen, nor are all business people businessmen. Managers may be male or female, so don't write things like 'managers and their wives'. Women managers may or may not have wives. Avoid writing female police officer, female manager and so on in a context that suggests that women wouldn't be found in these roles. This wouldn't apply, of course, where a point is being made about gender domination, such as female company board member, to highlight male bias in top jobs.
Avoid using 'he', 'his' and 'him' when you are referring to people who could be of either sex. Both masculine and feminine pronouns can be used where appropriate: 'he or she', 'her or him', and so on. (It is possible to use 'he/she', or 's/he' or 'her/him', 'his/her' but this is not always acceptable style.)
Extensive use of 'she or he', etc. does tend to be rather clumsy and there are other strategies you could adopt.
1. The use of the plural. For example:
Sexist
Each respondent was asked whether he wished to participate in the survey. Anti-sexist
The respondents were asked whether they wished to participate in the survey.
2. The omission of third person pronouns altogether. For example:
Sexist
The child should be given ample time to familiarise himself with the test material. Anti-sexist
Ample time should be given for the child to become familiar with the test material.
'Ladies', 'Girls' and Women
The words 'boys' and 'gentlemen' are rarely used to refer to men in written work or speech. It is patronising and offensive, as well as inaccurate, to use the term 'girls' to refer to adult women. This term should only be applied to female children. Similarly, teenage girls should not be referred to as 'young girls'. The term 'ladies' also has patronising overtones and should be avoided. Adult females should be referred to as women.
Heterosexism
The above guidelines are intended to help 'make women visible' in our work. In the face of growing homophobia, the BSA asks its members to consider the extent to which their work is heterosexist. For example, in discussions about two-earner households avoid assuming that the partnership consists of a man and a woman. In discussions about young women and sexuality, is it assumed that becoming 'sexually active' means becoming sexually active with men? Sociology is concerned with social realities in the world and social researchers have a responsibility to reflect on and change heterosexist assumptions.
Adapted from BSA Guidelines on Anti-sexist Language.1989
