Social and Cultural Issues On Gender
Social and Cultural Issues On Gender
Social and Cultural Issues On Gender
on Gender
Gender-Fair Language
Gender-Fair Language (GFL)
• Is a body of signs, symbols, sounds and words with significant meanings which
are used for communication.
• It is the use of language which devalues members of one sex, almost invariably
women, and thus fosters gender inequality.
examples alternatives
When a reporter covers a When reporters cover controversial
controversial story, he has a stories, they have a responsibility to
responsibility to present both sides of present both sides of the issue.
the issue
Everyone packed his own lunch. Everyone packed a lunch.
Each student should bring his All students should bring their
notebook to class everyday. notebooks to class everyday.
What are the kinds of sexist language?
2. People don’t give up power. They’ll give up anything else first, money, home, wife, but not power.
Alternative: Use “spouse” for “wife”
The generic masculine reflects gender inequality in that women are never seen in terms of general or
representative humanity. Men represent the universal or the human to which women are the other. Plural
form preferred, unless you know the sex of the teachers or the secretary, in which case use the appropriate
pronoun.
What are the kinds of sexist language?
salesgirls saleswomen
ladies women
Example:
1. Forceful men are perceived as charismatic while forceful women are labeled domineering
3. Men who are interested in everything are called curious people, while women with similar tendency are termed
nosy.
4. Men of ordinary appearance go without mention, while women of ordinary appearance are labeled plain or
homely.
5. Men who are interested in everything are called curious people, while women with similar tendency are termed
nosy
What are the kinds of sexist language?
1. Generic Man
• PROBLEM: The term man is often associated with the adult male
and it is difficult to distinguish its generic use. It reflects gender
inequality in that women are never seen in terms of general or
representative humanity but always in terms of their gender. Man
represents the universe and the human while woman is the other.
GUIDELINES FOR NON-SEXIST WRITING
• Alternatives:
• 1. Replace man with specific nouns or verbs that say explicitly what you mean:
• Instead of…… Use ……….
• Manpower labor, human resources, personnel
PROBLEM. The pronouns he and his are used to replace generic man
and pose the same problems.
GUIDELINES FOR NON-SEXIST WRITING
Alternatives:
1. The most common alternatives are he or she, he/she, she or he and lately, s/he. Too much of this can
be awkward, so use the following alternatives (for nos. 2-9) whenever feasible.
3. The first or second person may be used instead, when appropriate: Example from #2:
Please submit your papers on time.
GUIDELINES FOR NON-SEXIST WRITING
4. The pronoun his may be replaced by an article or dropped altogether.
Instead of: A researcher must acknowledge all
his sources.
Use: A researcher must acknowledge all
sources.