General Strategies
* Use gender-neutral language:
* Instead of "he" or "she," use "they" or "them" as a singular pronoun. While this can be grammatically non-standard, it's becoming more widely accepted.
* Avoid using words with gendered connotations (e.g., "chairman," "policeman"). Opt for "chairperson," "police officer," etc.
* Use plural forms: Instead of focusing on a single person, use plural forms to avoid specifying gender. For example, instead of "a student," say "students."
* Reword the sentence to avoid pronouns: Instead of "The teacher assigned homework to the student," say "The teacher assigned homework."
* Use alternate sentence structure: Instead of "He went to the store," say "The store was visited by him."
Specific Examples
| Biased Phrase | Gender-Neutral Alternative |
|---|---|
| The man on the street | The person on the street |
| He is a great businessman | They are a great businessperson |
| His research is very important | Their research is very important |
| The chairman of the board | The chair of the board |
| Manpower | Workforce |
| Mankind | Humankind |
Important Considerations
* Context is key: The best strategy will vary depending on the specific context.
* Avoid overcorrection: Don't force gender-neutral language into situations where it doesn't fit naturally.
* Be mindful of personal preferences: Some people may have strong preferences about the use of gender-neutral language. Be respectful of their views.
By using these strategies, you can ensure your language is inclusive and avoids perpetuating gender bias.