People need to stop referring to children as “sons” or “daughters” and instead adopt gender-inclusive language, as far as the state of Vermont is concerned. The Vermont was hit with a social-media backlash Wednesday after posting an “Inclusive Language for Families” guidance recommending the use of “kid” or “child” to refer to daughters and sons. “This [is] gender-neutral and can describe a child who may not be someone’s legal son or daughter,” said the in a Facebook post.
Other suggestions included saying “family members” instead of “household members,” the reasoning being that “Not all families live in the same home — think divorced or incarcerated parents, stepsiblings, etc.” The #HealthEquityTip also encouraged using “family” instead of “extended family” because “grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are often important parts of a core family unit,” but it was the gender-neutral advice that had jaws dropping. “How about letting people say what they want and stop being the woke police?” asked Larry Gorkun on Facebook.
Another respondent said: “Instead of equity, say communism.” Cherie Currie, lead singer of the 1970s-era band the Runaways, replied on X: “How about, ’Get the hell out of our lives.’” The Vermont put out a post informing families that they shouldn’t call their child “son” or “daughter” because it isn’t “inclusive” enough.
Yes, this is real. The advisory, which took off on X .