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 after being posted by Libs of TikTok, drew more than 700 replies on Facebook in less than eight hours, prompting a response from the . “This post was intended to encourage using inclusive language when you don’t know someone’s family situation,” said the .
“This is especially important in settings like classrooms, afterschool programs and sports teams. Using language that includes everyone helps children feel seen, respected, and valued no matter how their families are structured.” While most of the responses were critical or mocking — the “laughing face” emoji was liberally deployed — some commentators on Facebook offered additional suggestions for limiting family-related speech.
“Please consider using ’caretakers’ as well,” said Stephanie Segretto. “Some children are in foster scenarios or not with family.” The included a link to its “Health Equity” website, which offers a glossary of terms such as “Institutional Racism,” “Microaggression,” “Oppression,” “Preferred Gender Pronouns,” “White,” and “White Privilege.
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