Expectant mothers. It’s a common, harmless-sounding phrase, but it’s becoming the centre of a worldwide controversy.
The British Medical Association has put out a leaflet for staff, warning them against using phrases that could cause offence. “Expectant mothers” is on the list.
“A large majority of people that have been pregnant or have given birth identify as women,” the leaflet reads. “We can include intersex men and transmen who may get pregnant by saying ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘expectant mothers’.”
LISTEN: Mamamia Out Loud on whether they would Snapchat their birth. (Post continues…)
The leaflet also advises that staff shouldn’t use the term “Christian name”, as not everyone is Christian, and they should avoid terms such “mankind” and “manpower”, because they’re masculine nouns. Instead of “biologically male or female”, they should say “assigned male or female”, and instead of “the elderly”, it should be “older people”.
People have attacked the policy on social media.
Top Comments
words that are no longer politically correct: 1. Mother-offends those born with penises. . 2.Library - media center is all inclusive.There's more but these are the two that just hurt. Where's the asteroid when you need it to start over?
On the one hand I think this is utterly absurd, but on the other I know that it would be absolutely no skin off my nose whatsoever to call the person giving birth whatever they want me to.