The Past Use of “He/Him/His”

In the past, when people referred to a member of a group containing both men and women (or boys and girls), they used the pronouns he/him/his:

• A good doctor listens carefully to his patients.
• Anyone who wants to join should give his name to the secretary.

Nowadays, many people feel that this usage is unfair to women. To avoid the danger of seeming sexist, you can use one of the following alternatives:

Alternatives to Avoid Sexism

Use They/Them/Their

Use “they/them/their” to refer back to an indefinite pronoun (anyone, somebody, etc.):

• Anyone who wants to join should give their name to the secretary.

Some people object to this usage in formal styles, insisting that “they” (plural) does not agree in number with “anyone” (singular). However, this usage is very common.

Make All Forms Plural

You can make all the forms plural to avoid using gender-specific pronouns:

• Good doctors listen carefully to their patients.
• Those who want to join should give their name to the secretary.

Omit the Personal Pronoun

Design the sentence in such a way that a personal pronoun is not needed:

• Instead of saying “If anyone wants to go now, he may do so,” simply say “Anyone who wants to go now may do so.”

Use He or She, His or Her

For formal writing, use “he or she” and “his or her,” though this can be awkward if repeated:

• If a doctor listens to his or her patients, he or she will be in a better position to help them.

Examples of Gender-Neutral Language

Here are some common examples of replacing gender-specific language with gender-neutral language:

• Stewardess → Flight attendant
• Policeman → Police officer
• Chairman → Chair or Chairperson
• Businessman → Business person or Entrepreneur
• Waitress → Server or Waitstaff
• Salesman → Salesperson or Sales representative
• Mankind → Humanity or Humankind
• Sportsman → Athlete
• Postman → Postal worker or Mail carrier
• Actress → Actor (for all genders)
• Sisterhood/Brotherhood → Community, Fellowship, or Union
• Mr./Mrs./Ms. → Mx. (a gender-neutral title)
• Boyfriend/Girlfriend → Partner or Significant Other
• Maiden name → Family name or Surname
• His/her → Their
• Father/Mother → Parent or Guardian
• King/Queen → Monarch or Sovereign
• Sir/Madam → Dear (followed by their name or title)
• Man-made → Synthetic or Artificial
• Actress/Actor → Performer or Artist
• Penmanship → Handwriting or Script
• Ladylike/Gentlemanly → Polite or Courteous
• Girl/Boy → Child or Kid
• Businessman/Woman → Businessperson or Entrepreneur
• Housewife → Homemaker or Stay-at-home parent
• Fireman → Firefighter
• Policeman → Police officer
• Mailman → Postal worker or Mail carrier
• Salesman/Woman → Salesperson or Sales representative
• Forefathers → Ancestors or Predecessors

Why Language Matters

Language has the power to shape our perceptions and attitudes towards individuals and groups. By using gender-neutral language, we can create a more inclusive and respectful environment for everyone.

Tips for Avoiding Sexism in Writing

Inclusive language is essential for effective communication. Here are some practical tips:

• Use gender-neutral language: Use terms like “police officer” instead of “policeman” or “firefighter” instead of “fireman.”
• Use inclusive language: Replace terms like “mankind” with “humanity.”
• Avoid gender stereotypes: Avoid making assumptions about people based on their gender.
• Use titles and names: Use the person’s title or name instead of gendered pronouns when possible.
• Be consistent: Choose a gender-neutral approach and apply it consistently in your writing.