Instead of:
* "Manpower": Use "workforce," "staff," "personnel," or "human resources."
* "Chairman": Use "chair," "leader," "head," or "president."
* "Mankind": Use "humankind," "humanity," or "people."
* "He/she": Use "they/them" (singular), "one," or rephrase the sentence to avoid pronouns.
* "The average man": Use "the average person," "most people," or "the majority."
Example Sentence:
Gendered: The chairman of the company is a man who has been with the company for many years.
Gender-Neutral: The chair of the company has been with the organization for many years.
Why is gender-neutral language important?
* Inclusiveness: It acknowledges and respects the diversity of gender identities.
* Fairness: It avoids assumptions about individuals based on their gender.
* Clarity: It focuses on the message, not on gender.
Important Note: While "they/them" is becoming increasingly accepted as a singular pronoun for individuals who identify as non-binary or gender-neutral, some people still find it grammatically incorrect or confusing. In formal writing, consider using alternative options like "one" or rephrasing the sentence to avoid pronouns altogether.