US state promotes the adoption of gender-neutral family terms
The Vermont Department of Health is advising individuals to refrain from using traditional terms like 'son' or 'daughter' when referring to children, suggesting the adoption of more inclusive language. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is urging parents in the northeastern US state to cease using the terms ‘son’ and ‘daughter’ in favor of more inclusive alternatives like ‘child’ or ‘kid’ in order to promote “health equity.”
This advice was featured in a social media post on Wednesday aimed at encouraging families to adopt inclusive language. The VDH also recommended the phrase “family members” instead of “household members” to encompass incarcerated individuals, step-siblings, and those who may not reside at the same address.
“The language we use matters!” the health agency stated in the post. “Many families and students are getting ready for the new school year. Equity in the classroom is an essential piece of a productive and healthy learning environment,” it emphasized.
The VDH explained that it is crucial to use terminology that reflects diverse family structures. They pointed out that ‘child’ and ‘kid’ are gender-neutral and can apply to children who may not be legally recognized as a son or daughter. Additionally, the agency suggested opting for the term “family” instead of “extended family,” since grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins often play significant roles within a core family unit.
The intent behind the post was to “encourage using inclusive language when you don’t know someone’s family situation,” a necessity particularly in educational settings, afterschool programs, and sports teams.
According to the VDH, using inclusive language allows children to “feel seen, respected, and valued no matter how their families are structured.”
The department’s website underscores equity, inclusion, and harmony as its foundational values, also featuring links to articles such as “Why is Vermont so overwhelmingly white?” and “What it’s like to be a migrant worker in Vermont.”
While the guidance aimed at promoting inclusivity, it received significant backlash, with many social media users labeling the recommendations as “ridiculous” and “insane.”
“The woke mind virus must be stopped,” commented one user on X (formerly Twitter). Others have argued that the guidance infringes on freedom of speech.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
This advice was featured in a social media post on Wednesday aimed at encouraging families to adopt inclusive language. The VDH also recommended the phrase “family members” instead of “household members” to encompass incarcerated individuals, step-siblings, and those who may not reside at the same address.
“The language we use matters!” the health agency stated in the post. “Many families and students are getting ready for the new school year. Equity in the classroom is an essential piece of a productive and healthy learning environment,” it emphasized.
The VDH explained that it is crucial to use terminology that reflects diverse family structures. They pointed out that ‘child’ and ‘kid’ are gender-neutral and can apply to children who may not be legally recognized as a son or daughter. Additionally, the agency suggested opting for the term “family” instead of “extended family,” since grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins often play significant roles within a core family unit.
The intent behind the post was to “encourage using inclusive language when you don’t know someone’s family situation,” a necessity particularly in educational settings, afterschool programs, and sports teams.
According to the VDH, using inclusive language allows children to “feel seen, respected, and valued no matter how their families are structured.”
The department’s website underscores equity, inclusion, and harmony as its foundational values, also featuring links to articles such as “Why is Vermont so overwhelmingly white?” and “What it’s like to be a migrant worker in Vermont.”
While the guidance aimed at promoting inclusivity, it received significant backlash, with many social media users labeling the recommendations as “ridiculous” and “insane.”
“The woke mind virus must be stopped,” commented one user on X (formerly Twitter). Others have argued that the guidance infringes on freedom of speech.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
