Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Sexism
Forms of expression that unnecessarily specify gender are widely regarded as sexist.
In technical writing, sexist usage is easy to avoid.
A user may be disconnected when he makes a mistake.
A user may be disconnected when they make a mistake.
Users may be disconnected when they make a mistake.
The first use of “they”, as a singular pronoun, is acceptable but, to some readers,
jarring. The second use, as a plural, removes sexism at the cost of clarity. It is
preferable to recast the sentence.
A user who makes a mistake may be disconnected.
Don't use ugly constructs such as “s/he” or engage in reverse sexism by using “she”
unless it is absolutely impossible to avoid a generic reference. Remember that some
readers find use of “he” or “his” for a generic case offensive and dislike writing that
employs such usage.
