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from Clinical/Therapeutic Issues
Gender Language Now Archaic?
A letter was published recently in the American Psychological Association's
Monitor in Psychology criticizing the publication for using the expression "gender-inappropriate behaviors."
Said the letter writer, a psychologist:
"In the year 2001, this term should surely be regarded as archaic and, if used at all, enclosed
in quotation marks. One would have hoped that the many liberation movements of recent
decades, especially with regard to sex, gender and sexual orientation, would have led to the enlightenment
of psychologists and indeed laypeople, so that it would have been obvious how unnecessary
and frankly oppressive it is to label particular bits of behavior as appropriate for people identified
as belonging to one gender, but not for those belonging to another.
"For psychologists, who are often regarded as experts about behavior, to continue this
harmful practice is particularly troubling."
Updated: 8 February 2008
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