A language resource guide from the University of Dayton cautions against the use of the terms “husband and wife.”
A report from The College Fix this week highlights a new language resource guide from the Catholic University of Dayton that encourages students to stop using gendered terms such as “husband” and “wife.” Instead, the guide suggests that students use the gender-neutral alternatives “spouse,” “partner,” and “significant other.”
The guide, which was created by the University of Dayton’s Women’s Center, encouraged students to removed gendered language from all of their speech.
“Generic occupational titles like administrator, doctor, lawyer, nurse and secretary apply to both men and women. It is easier to see that these jobs can be done by a person of any gender when using gender inclusive or gender neutral language,” the guide reads.
In a statement to The College Fix, The University of Dayton described the language resource guide as an “educational resource.” The representative claimed that the guide does not represent official university policy.
“The gender inclusive language is an educational resource — it is neither a guide nor an advisory nor does it represent University of Dayton or Women’s Center policy — and has been posted on the website for at least three years,” they explained in the statement. “It is an educational resource geared to assist those who prefer to use gender inclusive language as well as those who wish to avoid assuming the gender of an individual being discussed.”
John Gomez, the president of the University of Dayton College Republicans, condemned the language resource guide, calling it a sign of the “PC culture” at the University of Dayton.
“Thankfully, I don’t think anyone on campus has even seen this list before (I know I haven’t). Likewise, I don’t believe there is a rampant or even prominent PC culture on the University of Dayton’s campus,” Gomez said.