Inclusive Language: College Class Bans Words “Husband,” “Wife,” “Mom,” “Dad”

[LifeHiscost]

"Much ado about nothing."  And then maybe not.

God is Love!~Jesus saves!

[Tom Wetmore]

On February 14, 2016 at 8:58 PM, bonnie said:

The main point is the terms that are no longer to be used. 

Classroom Communications Policy and Guidelines. The following policies and guidelines will be followed in this course: • Use inclusive language. Speak in a way that does not make assumptions about others based on “norms”, stereotypes, or one’s own identity or experience. Using terms like “partner”/”significant other” rather than boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife; or “family” rather than mom or dad, is inclusive of alternative orientations and family structures, and free of stereotypes.

The above is taken from the link you provided. Referring to one's husband/wife doesn't have to be inclusive of all

The main point of what?  The main point of the opinion piece in the OP, perhaps.  But a fair reading go the syllabus, not the main point of the class.  Or even main point of classroom participation.  

... Yes I will say it again.  You are missing the point.   No, correction...  The points.  Pretty much all of them.  The point of the syllabus. the point of the class.  The point of the highlighted bit you cherry picked.  The points Bravus has raised.  The point that the OP that you posted is an opinion piece  that very much misses the point.  

[Tom Wetmore]

On February 14, 2016 at 8:45 PM, David 'Bravus' Geelan said:

As I suspected, the presentation in the OP was not honest. Those ellipses (...) suggest that the penalties for conduct apply to the inclusive language guidelines. They're from completely different parts of the syllabus, and what the conduct guidelines *do* apply to is clearly outlined.

Read the whole document here: http://arts.ufl.edu/site/assets/files/75698/ids1353_lee_1601.pdf

Then decide whether you think the OP describes it honestly.

And this point...   

Rather dishonest opinion and criticism of a class syllabus, that the author of the opinion seems to have had little understanding or worse, IMHO.

[bonnie]

33 minutes ago, Tom Wetmore said:

The main point of what?  The main point of the opinion piece in the OP, perhaps.  But a fair reading go the syllabus, not the main point of the class.  Or even main point of classroom participation.  

... Yes I will say it again.  You are missing the point.   No, correction...  The points.  Pretty much all of them.  The point of the syllabus. the point of the class.  The point of the highlighted bit you cherry picked.  The points Bravus has raised.  The point that the OP that you posted is an opinion piece  that very much misses the point.  

Classroom Communications Policy and Guidelines. The following policies and guidelines will be followed in this course: • Use inclusive language. Speak in a way that does not make assumptions about others based on “norms”, stereotypes, or one’s own identity or experience. Using terms like “partner”/”significant other” rather than boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife; or “family” rather than mom or dad, is inclusive of alternative orientations and family structures, and free of stereotypes. Do not speak on another person’s behalf, even if they have freely disclosed personal information to you. If you are asked to do so, seek permission privately

It is absurd in talking to someone you are to be all inclusive. In speaking of my husband I see little reason to make sure I include all alternative lifestyles. If someone wishes to refer to their spouse as SO or partner,I really don't care. I prefer others to know that yes,I am married,not shacking up,or that I do not have same sex partner. Yes I will use mom and dad,yes that distinguishes me from those that have two fathers or two mothers. In speaking of my mother and father I don't feel any need to do so in such a way as to include all alternative family structures.

Not speaking on behalf of someone else should be a no brainer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bonnie]

Use person-first language. Respectfully put the person before their difference to avoid dehumanizing or marginalizing another person. In this way, the difference or disability is no longer the primary, defining characteristic of an individual, but one of many aspects of the whole person. Ask yourself whether or not it is relevant to name the disability, condition, circumstance or difference at all in the context of the conversation, when speaking of the person. • When using person-first language, name the person first and the condition, circumstance, or difference second, for example "person with autism" rather than "autistic person" or "disabled person", in order to emphasize that every individual is a person first. A good rule of thumb is to avoid “-ic” words, i.e. autistic, schizophrenic, etc. By using such a sentence structure, the speaker articulates the idea of a disability as a secondary attribute, not a characteristic of a person's identity (Snow, K. 2009; Lum, D. 2010; Folkins, J. 1992). • A primary way to devalue someone is through language, by using words or labels to identify a person as "different" or "less-than," or as "the others—not like us" and so forth. The human tendency is to group individuals together based on perceived sets of differences, and this is a biological survival instinct based in tribalism. Language reveals our biases, attitudes, beliefs, and values, which guide our actions and behaviors. One way to change our actions is to become aware of our biases by noticing, and changing, our speech. This communications principle is not about political correctness; it is ethical conduct revealing basic human respect and kindness.

 

It was not left with basic common sense as the underlined.  The link first included what you call cherry picking.

 

 

 

 

 

[Tom Wetmore]

   

 

Bless your heart...  

 

Have a nice day...

[bonnie]

1 hour ago, Tom Wetmore said:

   

 

Bless your heart...  

 

Have a nice day...

 

When someone responds as this in my personal life,I make sure not to turn my back on them. Very similar to when someone says "My dear sister"

 I am sure tho you meant it in all sincerity. 

Thankfully the type of day I have is not determined by anyone else. Nor whether I am blessed or not is not in the hands of ordinary mortals

[Bravus]

I did not call bonnie dishonest. I did not call the author of that article dishonest. I said the article uses dishonest tactics (cherrypicking, false juxtaposition).

Read the syllabus, in its entirety, by itself, then decide for yourself whether the article in the OP is an honest depiction of the syllabus.

I leave that as a judgement for you to make.

[whbae]

I wonder if this looney professor Lee was raised in an orphanage or without parents care.

Those terms conjures warm emotional feeling.  Is this wrong, professor Lee?!

[Bravus]

Wow.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Maybe I'm wrong, but in really looking at the syllabus, it doesn't state that a student can't use the terms, "husband," "wife," "boyfriend," "girlfriend," etc, when the student is talking about themselves.  Rather, it appears that the students are not to use those terms when speaking to, or referring to, others.

I don't know.  I kinda feel sorry for students these days...

[bonnie]

8 minutes ago, rudywoofs (Pam) said:

Maybe I'm wrong, but in really looking at the syllabus, it doesn't state that a student can't use the terms, "husband," "wife," "boyfriend," "girlfriend," etc, when the student is talking about themselves.  Rather, it appears that the students are not to use those terms when speaking to, or referring to, others.

I don't know.  I kinda feel sorry for students these days...

If I am speaking to others and refer to my spouse haven't I excluded all the possible living arrangements of  the one or ones I am speaking to?

Sorry,regardless of who I am speaking to,my husband remains my husband,my sons will remain my sons,my mother will always remain my mother. Maybe they have two fathers.

 

Common sense would dictate you don't refer to someone's wife when they have a same sex partner.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I should have been more clear.  It appears to me that a student can use the husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend terms when speaking about themselves, but not when speaking to others about those others' relationships.

[bonnie]

12 minutes ago, rudywoofs (Pam) said:

I should have been more clear.  It appears to me that a student can use the husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend terms when speaking about themselves, but not when speaking to others about those others' relationships.

You were perfectly clear. 

but not when speaking to others about those others' relationships.

 

I have grandchildren in college and they would find it absurd to be told not to refer to a same sex relationship with the term husband or wife. 

A friend of mine literally has no known family and unmarried. She was an only child as were her parents. Her great aunt the last relative of hers past away years ago. In order to be all inclusive in everything you say  what words would you use. I really don't think it has ever occurred to her to dictate to others the words they should use when speaking to her or about her.

It isn't necessary under most situations to refer to her status at all. 

 I don't use husband or wife when referring to my friends, the lesbian couple. Nor do I think in speaking to a group if you refer to "your sons" those without sons,maybe daughters or childless are going to feel excluded and prefer the term family,especially when many don't have a family of children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bravus]

Again, students were *encouraged* to choose to use *inclusive* language.

They were neither coerced to do so nor punished if they didn't.

[bonnie]

18 minutes ago, David 'Bravus' Geelan said:

 Again, students were *encouraged* to choose to use *inclusive* language.

They were neither coerced to do so nor punished if they didn't.

I wonder what impact on test or quizzes if the correct inclusive language was not used what would be the end result?  If this makes you feel "inclusive" good,go for it. I still prefer if someone is speaking of me and my living arrangement they use the term my husband. That says nothing about someone else but does make the distinction. I am not living together with a SO,nor a same sex partner.

 

It is simply another PC attempt. Really not much different than the following.

Those wanting to carry around a guide to make sure they are all inclusive,good for them

 

• The University of New Hampshire has a "Bias-Free Language Guide" on its website, which "is meant to invite inclusive excellence in [the] campus community."

 

• Terms such as "American," "homosexual," "illegal alien," "Caucasian," "mothering," "fathering," and "foreigners," are deemed "problematic."

UPDATE: UNH President Mark Huddleston has disavowed the Bias-Free Language Guide, saying he is "troubled by many things" it contains. He says "[t]he only UNH policy on speech is that it is free and unfettered on our campuses."

“American,” “illegal alien,” “foreigners,” “mothering,” and “fathering” are just a handful of words deemed “problematic” by the University of New Hampshire’s Bias-Free Language Guide.

Terms also considered problematic include: “elders,” “senior citizen,” “overweight,” “speech impediment,” “dumb,” “sexual preference,” “manpower,” “freshmen,” “mailman,” and “chairman,” in addition to many others.    Tweet This

 

According to the university’s website, the guide “is meant to invite inclusive excellence in [the] campus community.”

The guide defines words such as “homosexual” as “problematic,” offering “Same Gender Loving” as a more inclusive substitute. Similarly, a lack of gender-neutral bathrooms is, according to the university, “ciscentrism.”

The university defines “ciscentrism” as “[a] pervasive and institutionalized system that places transgender people in the ‘other’ category and treats their needs and identities as less important than those of cisgender people.”

“Ciscentrism,” according to the university, “includes the lack of gender-neutral restrooms, locker rooms, and residences.”

Saying “American” to reference Americans is also problematic. The guide encourages the use of the more inclusive substitutes “U.S. citizen” or “Resident of the U.S.”

The guide notes that “American” is problematic because it “assumes the U.S. is the only country inside [the continents of North and South America].” (The guide doesn’t address whether or not the terms “Canadians” and “Mexicans” should be abandoned in favor of “Residents of Canada” and “Residents of Mexico,” respectively.)

The guide clarifies that saying “illegal alien” is also problematic. While “undocumented immigrant” is acceptable, the guide recommends saying “person seeking asylum,” or “refugee,” instead. Even saying “foreigners” is problematic; the preferred term is “international people.”

Using the word “Caucasian” is considered problematic as well, and should be discontinued in favor of “European-American individuals.” The guide also states that the notion of race is “a social construct...that was designed to maintain slavery.”

The guide also discourages the use of “mothering” or “fathering,” so as to “avoid gendering a non-gendered activity.”

Even saying the word “healthy” is problematic, the university says. The “preferred term for people without disabilities,” the university says, is "non-disabled." Similarly, saying “handicapped” or “physically-challenged” is also problematic. Instead, the university wants people to use the more inclusive “wheelchair user,” or “person who is wheelchair mobile.”

Using the words “rich” or “poor” is also frowned upon. Instead of saying “rich,” the university encourages people to say “person of material wealth.” Rather than saying a person is “poor,” the university encourages its members to substitute “person who lacks advantages that others have” or “low economic status related to a person’s education, occupation and income.”

Terms also considered problematic include: “elders,” “senior citizen,” “overweight” (which the guide says is “arbitrary”), “speech impediment,” “dumb,” “sexual preference,” “manpower,” “freshmen,” “mailman,” and “chairman,” in addition to many others.

The Bias-Free Language Guide includes a link to the university’s “Gender Pronouns Guide,” which the university appears to have borrowed from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

UNH offers the guide as “a starting point for using pronouns respectfully.”

The Gender Pronouns Guide uses a chart to explain how to use “nonbinary pronouns” such asspivak pronouns or ze/zie/hir sets. For example, instead of saying the sentence “their eyes gleam” (using binary pronouns), the sentence would become “hir [pronounced identically to “here,” and “hear”] eyes gleam.”

Nonbinary pronouns, the guide explains, “are often used by trans, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming people.”

In addition to the guides on bias-free language and gender pronouns, the university also offersfaculty training to combat microaggressions. The training, the university says, “explores the danger of microaggressions and the cumulating effects on those being discriminated against.”

Inviting “inclusive excellence” is apparently not all that abandoning the use of the word “American” will do for the university. In the university’s words, “Each step of inclusion moves us closer to a full democracy”

The university defines “inclusive language” as “communication that does not stereotype or demean people based on personal characteristics.” The university website encourages readers to understand that the guide “is not a means to censor but rather to create dialogues of inclusion where all of us feel comfortable and welcomed.”

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @peterjhasson

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[rudywoofs (Pam)]

3 hours ago, bonnie said:

I have grandchildren in college and they would find it absurd to be told not to refer to a same sex relationship with the term husband or wife. 

One of my cousins is in a same sex marriage.  They both refer to each other as "wife"...  They told me that it's really up to the couple as to how they want to consider the terminology for their relationship.

[bonnie]

This is the part I really like. It is best you carry a current anti bias guide with you at all times

 

Using the words “rich” or “poor” is also frowned upon. Instead of saying “rich,” the university encourages people to say “person of material wealth.” Rather than saying a person is “poor,” the university encourages its members to substitute “person who lacks advantages that others have” or “low economic status related to a person’s education, occupation and income.”

Terms also considered problematic include: “elders,” “senior citizen,” “overweight” (which the guide says is “arbitrary”), “speech impediment,” “dumb,” “sexual preference,” “manpower,” “freshmen,” “mailman,” and “chairman,” in addition to many others.

The Bias-Free Language Guide includes a link to the university’s “Gender Pronouns Guide,” which the university appears to have borrowed from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

UNH offers the guide as “a starting point for using pronouns respectfully.”

The Gender Pronouns Guide uses a chart to explain how to use “nonbinary pronouns” such asspivak pronouns or ze/zie/hir sets. For example, instead of saying the sentence “their eyes gleam” (using binary pronouns), the sentence would become “hir [pronounced identically to “here,” and “hear”] eyes gleam.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bravus]

Aussies just say 'postie'...

[Green Cochoa]

The women still haven't tried to wriggle free of the most prominent use of masculinity to refer to them: wo-MAN.   Now, when they change that one, like all of the others, to "wo person," they will still be left with the "son" in the title!  

The fact is, God brought woman out of man, and from the beginning of mankind, her identity has been tied to his.

[bonnie]

For those that think they are of the fewbthat get point, let it start with you. With the large numbers that come to this forum and the different life's situation I would think you would not want to offend and exclude anyone. You even have a antibias guide to help you with all the offensive terms that exclude