GUIDELINES FOR THE ELIMINATION OF SEXUAL STEREOTYPING IN LANGUAGE AND VISUAL MATERIAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Purpose
• Definitions
• Avoid Stereotyping in Language and Text
  • Position Titles and Occupational Titles
  • Names and Forms of Address
  • Pronouns
  • Order of Words
  • Parallel and Equal Treatment for Both Sexes
• Avoid Stereotyping in Visual Material

INTRODUCTION

The federal government as an employer actively supports equal opportunity and recommends the elimination of discriminatory elements in acts, regulations, policies and practices. Sex bias in language or visual material reinforces inequality and can be offensive. By extension, such material can be inappropriately deemed indicative of the department's view of women in Canadian.

PURPOSE

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all written and visual material produced for internal use or external distribution is free of sexist language and sex-stereotyping. Departmental communications should reflect recognition of the full range of interest and capabilities of women.

DEFINITIONS

• Sexism is discrimination based on gender.
• Sexist language is language that excludes one sex or gives unequal treatment to woman and men.
• Sex-stereotyping refers to the practice of assigning roles or activities to individuals purely on the basis of sex. Any representation which perpetuates the thinking that men occupy certain kinds of positions or professions, while women occupy others, constitutes sex-stereotyping.

AVOID STEREOTYPING IN LANGUAGE AND TEXT

1. POSITION TITLES AND OCCUPATIONAL TERMS

1. Refer to the work performed and not to the gender of the worker. Avoid using "man" or "woman" as a suffix or prefix in job titles.

2. The job description should encourage both women and men to enter non-traditional fields. The duties should be carefully described to make clear that they can be performed by men or women, and to avoid misrepresenting the skills required, to the disadvantage of either sex.

2. NAMES AND FORMS OF ADDRESS

Identify women by their own names if known, and title where required, rather than through their association with someone else.

3. PRONOUNS

The English language lacks a pronoun that signifies both "he and she", and customarily the masculine pronoun has been to refer to humanity in general. However, this usage is discouraged, and the following practices should be substituted:

1. Delete unnecessary use of pronouns by altering the structure:

2. Use the plural whenever possible:

3. Substitute a neutral word such as "one"; "individual"; "incumbent"

4. Use both pronouns: (this should be used sparingly to avoid clumsy prose)

4. ORDER OF WORDS

The male sex should not always be mentioned first.

5. PARALLEL AND EQUAL TREATMENT FOR BOTH SEXES

1. Describe both sexes in the same terms and with the same degree of respect, dignity and seriousness.

2. Use a balance of women and men to illustrate the points being made. Men are too often as the "typical" example while women are used only to illustrate traditional or stereotyped female traits and concerns. Women and men should be included in examples and preferably used for illustrations in non-traditional ways.

3. Avoid generic application of "man" to represent humanity.

4. Avoid constructions that place women in a special class or single out women as the exception rather than the rule.

5. Avoid judgmental or belittling expressions for women which are linked to stereotyped sex characteristics. Avoid humour based on gender characteristics; as this is one of the most common ways of reinforcing negative stereotypes.

6. Avoid constructions that imply that professionals are men and women are their dependents.

AVOID STEREOTYPING IN VISUAL MATERIAL

1. Represent women and men at all professional levels.
2. Ensure that the placement of women and men reinforces their equality: women and men should both be seated or standing; if seated, both should be at desks or at a table.

© GRC-RCMP
ecdp1133.doc
July 30, 1998