Omar Bennett
The use of gendered pronouns in the US Constitution has been a topic of debate in recent years, with a particular focus on the exclusive use of the pronoun he when referring to the President of the United States. While some argue that the use of gender-neutral pronouns such as they or she is long overdue, others recognize the massive political hurdles that stand in the way of changing the Constitution's pronouns. Despite the challenges, advocates for change assert that raising awareness and stimulating conversation around the issue are important first steps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gender-neutral pronouns | They, them, theirs |
| Gender-specific pronouns | He, she |
| Pronouns used in the Constitution | He |
| Current efforts to change pronouns in the Constitution | Change.org petition |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution uses male pronouns
The US Constitution, which was ratified in 1787, exclusively uses male pronouns when referring to the President of the United States. This is understandable given the historical context, as women could not vote at the time. However, in today's world, this has led to calls for change to achieve inclusivity and remove any implicit misogyny.
Nicole Day, a student at RWU Law, has circulated a Change.org petition to replace the pronoun "he" in the Constitution with gender-neutral alternatives like "they" or "she". Day acknowledges the significant political challenges of amending the Constitution, which would require a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and approval by three-quarters of state legislatures.
The use of gender-neutral pronouns in public life has been a topic of passionate debate in recent years. While some institutions have adopted these changes, amending the nation's supreme legal document is a more complex issue. Opponents of change may argue that the male pronoun "he" is used in a gender-neutral sense, similar to how "mankind" can refer to all of humanity.
However, proponents of change, like Day, argue that the exclusive use of male pronouns in the Constitution contributes to a culture where men and women are seen as fundamentally different. This discrepancy between the language of the Constitution and the modern reality of women running for president can be confusing and damaging to young girls, reinforcing the need for more inclusive language.
While the path to amending the Constitution is challenging, Day believes that raising awareness and sparking conversations about this issue are crucial steps toward potential change.
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Gender-neutral pronouns in public life
The debate surrounding gender-neutral pronouns in public life has gained prominence in recent years. This is largely due to the increased visibility of public figures who identify as non-binary or use gender-neutral pronouns, such as Lil Uzi Vert, Demi Lovato, and Janelle Monáe. The discussion around gender-neutral pronouns is not new, however, and has been a topic of conversation since the late 18th century.
The use of gender-neutral pronouns is important for creating an inclusive culture. Using gender-neutral language ensures that sentences are inclusive of everyone and can help to avoid incorrect or hurtful assumptions about someone's gender. For example, someone may be agender, non-binary, or simply uncomfortable with identifying as "he" or "she". In these cases, gender-neutral pronouns such as "they", "them", "this person", "everyone", "ze", or "hir" can be used. "They" is one of the more common gender-neutral pronouns and is easy to incorporate into daily conversations. For instance, "I spoke to the marketing director and they said they'd get back to me".
Some people choose not to use gender-neutral pronouns and instead prefer to be referred to by their name. It is important to respect this and, when in doubt, to use someone's name rather than a gendered pronoun. However, when someone does choose to use gender-neutral pronouns, using them correctly is important for making that person feel valued and respected.
The use of gender-neutral pronouns in public life has faced some resistance and general public acceptance is an ongoing process. One of the challenges is that it is not always clear how to pronounce gender-neutral pronouns. For example, while "ze" may be pronounced like "zee", it could also follow the same pronunciation pattern as "he" and "she", sounding like "ze". Despite this challenge, the use of gender-neutral pronouns is becoming more common in formal settings such as offices, government documents, and professional environments.
The push for gender-neutral language has also extended to the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution currently uses the pronoun "he" when referring to the President of the United States. Considering that the Constitution was ratified in 1787, when women could not vote, the use of "he" at the time made sense. However, in recent years, there has been a push to change the exclusive use of "he" in the Constitution. While this would face massive political hurdles, advocates argue that it is important to raise awareness and get people talking about the issue.
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Gender-neutral language in schools
The U.S. Constitution has long been a subject of debate regarding its use of gendered language, specifically the pronoun "he" in reference to the President of the United States. While the historical context of women's rights at the time of its ratification in 1787 explains the exclusive use of "he," it has failed to keep up with the times and promote gender inclusivity. This issue is not unique to the Constitution, as schools and educational institutions also grapple with the need to adopt gender-neutral language to create a more inclusive environment for students.
Educators play a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive classroom culture by employing gender-neutral language. This entails using terms like "everyone," "people," or "folks" instead of gendered phrases like "ladies and gentlemen" or "boys and girls." It also involves respecting students' pronouns, including "they/them/theirs" as singular, gender-neutral options. By doing so, teachers can promote a sense of belonging for all students, especially those who identify as transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, or gender-questioning.
A study conducted by Penn State researchers in a preschool setting provides compelling evidence for the benefits of gender-neutral language. The study found that children exposed to gendered language were less likely to play with peers of the opposite gender and more likely to perpetuate gender stereotypes. Conversely, those in the gender-neutral language group exhibited more inclusive behaviour and challenged gender stereotypes.
In practical terms, teachers can implement gender-neutral language by avoiding assumptions about students' gender identities based on appearance. For example, instead of addressing students as "boys and girls," one could use class-wide inclusive terms or refer to students by their names. Additionally, educators can encourage the use of gender-neutral language by incorporating it into assignments and promoting open discussions about the impact of language on others.
While changing the language of the U.S. Constitution to be more gender-inclusive faces significant political challenges, schools have the agency to adopt gender-neutral language more readily. By doing so, they can create a nurturing environment that empowers students to express themselves freely, uninhibited by gender oppression or restrictive gender norms. This shift in language usage aligns with the evolving nature of terms and their social and political meanings, as highlighted by the Vanderbilt University guide, "Teaching Beyond the Gender Binary in the University Classroom."
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The Constitution's original context
The Constitution of the United States was transcribed by Jacob Shallus on parchment and is on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The original spelling and punctuation have been preserved in the transcription. The Constitution establishes a framework for the United States government and outlines the rights and responsibilities of its citizens.
One of the key aspects of the Constitution is its provision for legislative powers, which are vested in a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the states, with each state having specific qualifications for electors. The document also outlines the roles and responsibilities of senators and representatives, including the requirement to support the Constitution by taking an oath or affirmation.
The Constitution also addresses the process of holding elections, with each state's legislature prescribing the times, places, and manner of electing senators and representatives. However, Congress has the power to make or alter these regulations, except for the places of choosing senators. The document specifies that each house shall be the judge of the elections, qualifications, and returns of its members and can determine its rules of proceedings.
While the Constitution has undergone amendments to address citizenship and equal protection under the law, it has faced criticism for its exclusive use of masculine pronouns, such as "he" when referring to the President. Recent debates have emerged advocating for the inclusion of gender-neutral pronouns to reflect the changing societal norms and promote inclusivity. However, changing the Constitution's pronouns would require overcoming significant political obstacles, including votes in the House and Senate and approval from state legislatures.
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Changing the Constitution
The Constitution of the United States was drafted in 1787 and has been amended only 27 times since. The document was written "to endure for ages to come", and to ensure its longevity, the framers made it a challenging process to amend. The authority to amend the Constitution of the United States is derived from Article V of the Constitution.
The process of amending the Constitution is challenging and time-consuming. A proposed amendment must be passed by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This can be challenging to achieve, as it requires significant support from both political parties. Once passed by Congress, the amendment is then sent to the states for ratification. It must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, or 38 out of 50 states. This step can also be difficult, as it requires a high level of consensus among the states.
There have been recent debates about introducing gender-neutral pronouns in the Constitution, as alternatives to the traditional use of "he" and "she". Proponents of this change argue that the use of gender-neutral language in the Constitution would reflect the modern understanding of gender and promote inclusivity. However, opponents may argue that changing the language of the Constitution is unnecessary or may carry unintended consequences.
To change the pronouns in the Constitution, a similar process would need to be followed. A proposed amendment to change the language would need to be introduced in Congress and pass by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate. Then, it would need to be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. While this process is challenging, it is not impossible, and it is worth noting that public awareness and support for such a change could be a crucial factor in its success.
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