Learn to Avoid Gender Bias on Your Article Writing

Gender is one of the top issues in our current society. As a freelancer or academician who usually being asked to write article or essays, we must be careful on any word and terms we choose, especially when it is related this issue. Ensure to use  'Gender-Neutral Language' which is a form of linguistic prescriptive  that aims to eliminate (or neutralize) reference to gender in terms that describe people.  Here are some tips you could learn to avoid gender bias on your writing.

Choose gender-neutral terms whenever possible

For example, the words policeman and stewardess are gender-specific; the corresponding gender-neutral terms are police officer and flight attendant. Other gender-specific terms, such as actor and actress, may be replaced by the originally male term; for example, actor used regardless of gender. Further, some traditionally gender-neutral terms, such as chairman, are increasingly seen by some, but not all, as being gender-specific. Gender-neutral language may also involve the avoidance of gender-specific pronouns, such as he, when the gender of the person referred to is unknown; they may be replaced with gender-neutral pronouns – possibilities in English include he or she, s/he, or singular they.

It has become common in academic and governmental settings to rely on gender-neutral language to convey inclusion of all sexes or genders (gender-inclusive language).

Historically the use of masculine pronouns in place of generic was regarded as non-sexist, but various forms of gender-neutral language became a common feature in written and spoken versions of many languages in the late twentieth century. 

Feminists argue that previously the practice of assigning masculine gender to generic antecedents stemmed from language reflecting "the prejudices of the society in which it evolved, and English evolved through most of its history in a male-centered, patriarchal society."

Examples:

Use: people, humanity Not: mankind

Use: work force, employees Not: manpower

Use: to staff, to run, to operate Not: to man

Use: begetting, creating, fostering Not: fathering

Use: caring, nurturing Not: mothering

Use: firefighter Not: fireman

Use: police officer, public safety officer Not: policeman

Use: postal carrier, postal worker Not: postman

Use: chair Not: chairman, chairwoman*

*Use chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson only if you write the person's official job title. The heads of departments are officially appointed by the Board of Trustees with the the title "chair".

When possible, write in the plural.

Instead of: Each student must meet with his professor.

Write: All students must meet with their professors.

Never write: Each student must meet with their professor.

Instead of: Each alumnus was invited.

Write: All alumni were invited.

Never write: Each alumni was invited.

Write in the second person.

In most writing, it is acceptable and preferable to address readers in the second person. This creates writing that is less legalistic, and which helps avoid gender-specific pronouns.

Instead of: The applicant should submit his resume by Nov. 1.

Write: Submit your resume by Nov. 1.

Never write: The applicant should submit your resume by Nov. 1.

Eliminate the third-person singular possessive

Instead of: Each child scribbled on his pad of paper.

Write: Each child scribbled on a pad of paper.

Choose words that apply equally to men and women.

It is a reality of the English language that many words which may apply to men can equally apply to men and women. Only a woman can be an actress. Both women and men can be actors. The first definition of an actor is, “one who acts.” It is not gender specific.

Instead of: Student actors and actresses will perform "Othello."

Write: Student actors will perform "Othello."

Instead of: She is one of the today's top comediennes.

Write: She is one of the today's top comedians.

Avoid writing that is awkward for the sake of gender equality

Your goal is to avoid gender bias in your writing. In most cases, however, it is not the goal of your message to advance the cause of gender equity. Avoid writing that is legalistic or that makes gender or gender equity an unintended issue.

Avoid slash constructions

Instead of: Each student can choose his/her major.

Write: Each student can choose his or her major.

Still better: All students can choose their majors.

Instead of: Each alumnus/alumna gets a vote.

Write: Each alumnus or alumna gets a vote.

Never write: Each alumnus gets a vote.

Reference : 

Western Michigan University

Wikipedia