APA Guidelines for Non-Sexist Use of Language

Publications

Guidelines for Non-Sexist Use of Language1

Virginia L. Warren, Chapman College

APA Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession

Forward

The following Guidelines were originally published in the Proceedings and Addresses of the American Philosophical Association in February 1986 (Vol. 59, Number 3, pp. 471-482). They were prepared at the request of the Executive Committee of the Western Division (now called the Central Division) of the American Philosophical Association by the APA's National Committee on the Status of Women. Committee member Virginia Warren undertook to write the report, and after discussion by that Committee, it was submitted to the Executive Committees of the APA's three Divisions. All three Divisions passed resolutions encouraging members to keep the report in mind in preparing papers for divisional programs and asked the APA National Office to provide copies to members on request.

This reprinted report, slightly abridged by the author, is intended for free distribution to members of the Association, and members may wish to share it with colleagues in other disciplines as well. (For additional copies, write to the APA National Office, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 or telephone (302) 831-1112.)

Publication of this report by the APA does not imply formal endorsement, either by the Divisions or by the National Board of Officers, of any specific or compulsory set of rules. Rather, it reflects an organizational conviction that philosophers should take special care to avoid giving needless and unintended offense. Members may find the suggestions in this report helpful in ensuring sensitivity to all the considerations that may influence philosophical conclusions.

Eric Hoffman

Executive Director

American Philosophical Association

For several reasons we, as philosophers, should be particularly sensitive to the issue of nonsexist language--that is, language whose "use creates, constitutes, promotes, or exploits an unfair or irrelevant distinction between the sexes" (Mary Vetterling-Braggin, 1981, p.3). First, our profession has long focused on language. Accordingly, we are attuned to the emotive force of words and to the ways in which language influences thought and behavior. Second, we pride ourselves on our willingness to question assumptions. Yet the uncritical use of sexist language may blind us to our having adopted a particular value-laden perspective. Such blindness may systematically distort our theories and interfere with the careers and lives of many of our colleagues and students, both female and male. Third, as scholars and teachers we pursue truth wherever it leads: to the reform of our ordinary concepts and beliefs and, if necessary, of our everyday language.

Our readers and listeners may have been receiving a message that we never intended to send. Rather than encouraging a superficial recasting of words, these guidelines are designed to foster a deeper appreciation of how easily bias slips into our thoughts and theories.

The Generic Use of 'Man' and 'He'

The generic use of 'man' and 'he' (and 'his', 'him', 'himself') is commonly considered gender-neutral. The case against the generic use of these terms does not rest on rare instances in which they refer ambiguously to 'male' or 'human being'. Rather, every occurrence of their generic use is problematic.

First, Janice Moulton persuasively argues, in "The Myth of the Neutral 'Man'" (in Vetterling-Braggin, 1981, pp. 100-115; revised from Vetterling-Braggin, et al, 1977, pp. 124-37), that 'he' and 'man' used generically are really not gender-neutral terms at all. ('Person' and 'human' are genuinely gender-neutral.) As evidence, Moulton offers many examples of statements in which 'man' and 'he' unambiguously refer to all humanity, rather than to males alone, yet are false, funny, or insulting. For example, "Some men are female" is irredeemably odd, while "Some human beings are female" is fine. Similarly, "Each applicant is to list the name of his husband or wife" is odd; and even using "his spouse" disquiets more than using "his or her spouse."

Second, empirical evidence supports Moulton's claim that regardless of the author's intention the generic 'man' is not interpreted gender neutrally.2 Casey Miller and Kate Swift (1976) cite a study in which college students chose pictures to illustrate chapters of a sociology textbook. Those with chapters entitled "Society," "Industrial Life," and "Political Behavior" tended to select pictures of both females and males. However, when the same chapters were named "Social Man," "Industrial Man," and "Political Man," students of both sexes tended to select pictures of males only. With some chapters the differences [between the two groups] reached magnitudes of 30 to 40 percent. The authors concluded, "This is rather convincing evidence that when you use the word man generically, people do tend to think male, and tend not to think female" (Miller and Swift, 1976, p. 21). This study also finds that the generic 'man' leaves out more than women: "As the image of capitalist, playboy, and hard hat are called forth by the word 'man', so is the other side of the coin called forth by 'behavior' or 'life'--women, children, minorities, dissent and protest" (Miller and Swift, 1976, p. 23).

Third, using the generic 'he' and 'man' is problematic because it often leads us to omit the distinctive elements of female experience and behavior. For example, a sentence beginning, "If a student is conscientious, he is probably a good . . . ," will likely be ended with "son"--even though "good son," "good daughter," and "good child" connote different things. If the sentence had begun, "A conscientious student is probably a good . . . ," a likely finale would be "son or daughter" or "child."

In sum, there are convincing reasons, both empirical and conceptual, for avoiding the generic 'he' and 'man' and for specifically including females. Hence, it is inadequate to state in an opening footnote that, for the remainder of the letter, article or book, 'he' shall stand for 'he or she' and 'man' for all humanity. What authors intend is not the issue. Good intentions not carried through are not good enough.

Addressing the Professional

Forms of address indicate attitudes about status and/or worth. Children often go by first names while calling adults by surname and title. Whenever males are referred to by title, use the appropriate title for female professionals (Ms., Dr., Professor), rather than their first names.

Sexual Stereotyping: Distortions and Silence

One way that sexual stereotypes enter philosophic discourse is through examples. Since philosophic examples are usually illustrative, it is often thought that their presuppositions need not be checked for sexist content. However, examples may manifest sexist bias: (a) through embodying explicit or implicit sexual stereotypes (e.g., by contrasting female beauty with male success, or by using this hackneyed example of complex question: "When did you stop beating your wife?"); (b) through adopting a male perspective (as when using the generic 'man' or 'he' leads one to say "his wife"); and (c) through silence--the absence of examples explicitly referring to women.

A second mode of entry for sexual stereotypes has been through the labeling of some roles as predominantly male or female. To assume that all lawyers or epistemologists are male deletes the female segment of the profession and reinforces the assumption that only males are "proper" professionals. Moreover, to assume that homemaking and child rearing tasks are the primary concern of all and only women excludes males from these roles, even as it ignores women's other concerns.

Finally, omitting women's distinctive interests and experience also perpetuates sexual stereotypes. The generic use of 'he' and 'man' are part of the more general problem of women's "invisibility" in philosophic discourse. Some empirical data on sexist language indicate that if women are not specifically included(e.g., through using females in examples, or the term "he or she"), even genuinely gender-neutral prose (e.g., using plural pronouns) tends to be heard as referring to males only.3

Summary of Guidelines for the Nonsexist Use of Language

When constructing examples and theories, remember to include those human activities, interests, and points of view which traditionally have been associated with females.

Eliminate the generic use of 'he' by:

  • using plural nouns
  • deleting 'he', 'his', and 'him' altogether
  • substituting articles ('the', 'a', 'an') for 'his'; and 'who' for 'he'
  • substituting 'one', 'we', or 'you'
  • minimizing use of indefinite pronouns (e.g., 'everybody', 'someone')
  • using the passive voice [use sparingly]
  • substituting nouns for pronouns [use sparingly]

Eliminate the generic use of 'man':

  • for 'man', substitute 'person'/'people', 'individual(s)', 'human(s)', 'human being(s)'
  • for 'mankind', substitute 'humankind', 'humanity', 'the human race'
  • for 'manhood', substitute 'adulthood', 'maturity'
  • delete unnecessary references to generic 'man'

Eliminate sexism when addressing persons formally by:

  • using 'Ms' instead of 'Miss' or 'Mrs.', even when a woman's marital status is known4
  • using a married woman's first name instead of her husband's (e.g., "Ms. Annabelle Lee" not "Mrs. Herman Lee")
  • using the corresponding title for females ('Ms.', 'Dr.', 'Prof.') whenever a title is appropriate for males
  • using 'Dear Colleague' or 'Editor' or 'Professor', etc. in letters to unknown persons (instead of 'Dear Sir', 'Gentlemen')

Eliminate sexual stereotyping of roles by:

  • using the same term (which avoids the generic 'man') for both females and males (e.g., 'department chair' or 'chairperson'), or by using the corresponding verb (e.g., 'to chair')
  • not calling attention to irrelevancies (e.g., 'lady lawyer', 'male nurse')5

* Example 17 is from American Psychological Association (1977). Back

Notes

  1. I gratefully acknowledge that these guidelines were modeled on those of the American Psychological Association (1977) and of the National Council of Teachers of English (1975). I also wish to thank the members of the Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession who offered many useful suggestions on earlier drafts--especially Mary Varney Rorty, who chaired the Committee, and whose enthusiam and carefully worded comments and examples guided this project from the beginning. Back
  2. Empirical studies are cited by Dale Spender (1980, pp. 152-54); and by Wendy Martyna, "Beyond the 'He/Man' Approach: The Case for Nonsexist Language" Signs, Spring 1980, pp. 482-93). Back
  3. Janet Hyde reports, in "Children's Understanding of Sexist Language" (Developmental Psychology, July 1984, pp. 697-706), that the stories elementary school and college students told were about females 12% of the time when a cue sentence used 'he', compared to 18% ('they') and 42% ('he or she').Back
  4. See Miller and Swift (1976, pp. 97-103) for the historical background of 'Ms.', 'Mrs.' and 'Miss'. See Vetterling-Braggin (1981, pp. 217-48) for a debate on the use of 'Ms.': "Michael Levin, "Vs. Ms."; L. M. Purdy, "Against 'Vs. Ms.'"; and Alan Soble, "Beyond the Miserable Vision of 'Vs. Ms.'" Back
  5. To understand why 'lady lawyer' is objectionable, see Robin Lakoff, 1975, pp. 20-26; and Carolyn Korsmeyer, "The Hidden Joke: Generic Uses in Masculine Terminology" (in Vetterling-Braggin, 1981, pp. 122-24, 127-28; and in Vetterling-Braggin, et al, 1977, pp. 144-46, 149-50). Back

Bibliography

  • "Guidelines for Nonsexist Language in APA [American Psychological Association] Journals," American Psychologist, June, 1977, pp. 487-94. Single copy available free (if a stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed) from: Publication Manual, Change Sheet 2, American Psychological Association, 1200 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.**
  • "Guidelines for Nonsexist Use of Language in NCTE [National Council of Teachers of English] Publication," November, 1975. Single copy available free from: National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 Kenyon Road, Urbana, Illinois 61801.***
  • Kett, Merriellyn, and Underwood, Virginia. How to Avoid Sexism: A Guide for Writers, Editors and Publishers. Chicago: Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc., 1978. The book to read if you want to avoid the generic 'he'. A seventy-page chapter, including numerous practice exercises, is devoted to this subject.
  • Lakoff, Robin. Language and Woman's Place. New York: Harper & Row, 1975. A classic on the subject by a linguist who examines the subtleties of language about women and language used by women.
  • Miller, Casey, and Swift, Kate. The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing. New York: Barnes and Noble, Harper & Row, 1980. The best all-around reference book on the subject--to be kept next to your dictionary.
  • Miller, Casey, and Swift, Kate. Words and Women. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1976. A fascinating and thoroughly researched account of historical and contemporary use of language concerning women)including the generic 'he' and 'man', (first and last) names, and gender-specific terms. Excellent.
  • Spender, Dale. Man Made Language. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1980. Spender gives a good summary and critique of the general literature on sexist language (pp. 7-51), and discusses the history of the generic use of 'man' and 'he' (pp. 147-60).
  • Vetterling-Braggin, Mary, ed. Sexist Language: A Modern Philosophical Analysis. Totowa, NJ: Littlefield, Adams and Co., 1981. A thorough and lively exploration of recent philosophical literature on sexist language. Topics include: the definition of sexism and sexist language; the moral significance of using sexist language; the generic 'he' and 'man'; 'Ms.'; a comparison of sexist and racist language. Excellent.
  • Vetterling-Braggin, Mary, Elliston, Frederick A., and English, Jane, eds. Feminism and Philosophy. Totowa, NJ: Littlefield, Adams and Co., 1977. This general anthology on the philosophy of feminism has five articles on sexist language.

Bibliography Update

** The "Guidelines for Nonsexist Language in APA [American Psychological Association] Journals," have undergone a revision and name change. The current version is known as Guidelines to Reduce Bias in Language and appears on pages 54 through 60 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 4th edition (1994). Single copies are no longer available. Back

*** The "Guidelines for Nonsexist Use of Language in NCTE [National Council of Teachers of English] Publication," have been revised as of 1985. They are still available from the NCTE at a cost of $.75 for members and $1.00 for non-members. Back