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Example: "There are more men in science than women because…"
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Using this language emphasizes that womanhood and manhood are socially defined.
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Womanhood has different meanings in different parts of the world and in different historical periods.
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One can be a woman and like things that are considered manly without being any less womanly.
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What it means to be a woman, a man or neither is not biological.
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Especially when talking about statistics, try to avoid using male and female (e.g., "women are more likely…" or "39% of women agree…" or "the class is 30% women")
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Additionally, for more inclusive, gender-neutral language, replace boys and girls, or guys, with folks when addressing a group (e.g., say "ok folks" instead of "ok guys" when speaking to an audience).
- Be sure to avoid saying or referring to "both" genders, because there are more than two genders.