"Hey You Guys" and Other Male Generics

I have a little bone to pick with the English language regarding male generic terms in the professional world... For example: chairmen, policemen, mailmen, firemen, businessmen, congressmen, etc.  The reality of these titles is that though they once did accurately describe those employed in the positions referred to above, they do not any longer.

I did a little Google experiment to reinforce the point I’m about to make: first I Google image searched “businessmen” (a common umbrella term for all people who work in business) and came up with the image displayed here demonstrating a scene of all men, and many others like it. When I image searched the term “businesspeople”, nearly all of the images looked more like the one posted below, illustrating a much more accurate scene of the current business world which now includes women. (The same is true when I image search firemen vs. firefighters, and policemen vs. police officers.)

These umbrella male-generic terms are outdated and are no longer reflective of the reality of the professional world.  The argument that terms like businessmen and chairmen are meant to include women in this day and age is weak because, quite literally, they do not.  Until we shift the way that we refer to these professions, men will continue to dominate the field, as a self-fulfilling prophecy.  In order to be inclusive of women in professional fields, the language that we use must also include them.

The way we talk is in accordance with the way that we think (and therefore what we expect of ourselves and what others expect of us); and our language is our most powerful tool for change.

While certainly subtle (indeed, likely unnoticed by many), I assert that changing the subconscious use of language is an essential step in the movement towards social equality between men and women.  The language that we use has, what I consider, “a silent impact” on the workplace (and beyond).

Thinking outside of the business world, have you ever noticed that when someone says that a woman is “one of the guys” this is generally understood by both parties to be a compliment of high-esteem.  The person offering this “compliment” usually means that the woman is laid back, easy to talk to, able to speak about compelling topics, and perhaps enjoys a cold beer over a conversation (which, for the record, describes nearly all of the women that I associate with). 

As a side note, while talking about social cues, “you guys” is one of the most common phrases that I hear when referring to a group of people, be it all men, co-ed, or even when addressing a room full of women.

Now, imagine for a moment what would be implied if I were to tell a friend that he was just like “one of the girls”… While this might be intended to say that this man is laid back, easy to talk to, able to speak about compelling topics, sensitive, and thoughtful (which, for the record, describes most of the men that I associate with), more than likely, that man will be quite uncomfortable with the notion, if not outright offended.  He might even feel the need for a cold beer and a football game with the guys to cleanse himself of this ill-gotten "feminine" reputation.

We need to work to move away from the underlying message that to be “masculine” is ideal, and to be “feminine” is inferior, an idea that is constantly reinforced by men, women, and the mass media at large.  One way that we can all do our subtle, yet vital part, is to give regard to the way that we speak and the words that we use to refer to people.

Instead of using spokesman, try using spokesperson; instead of salesman, salesperson; mankind, humankind.  And here’s a real challenge for everyone, instead of “you guys”, try using “you all” (carefully controlling the tendency to let this become “y’all” if that is not a word you are otherwise drawn towards) or even just “everyone”.

When we begin to inundate the professional and social spheres with the use of inclusive language, we can really start to make a change in gender dynamics.  I believe that it is not with malicious intent that anyone uses these generic terms, and it is not with judgment of the ingrained use of language in our society that I write, but instead to introduce the thought of the bigger picture implications every time the opportunity to use more inclusive language arises.