Isabella Carter
The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. Despite this, there have been calls for it to be updated to use gender-neutral language. The Constitution currently uses the pronoun he when referring to the President of the United States. This is despite the fact that there have been several women candidates for president and one who won the popular vote. Changing the pronouns in the Constitution would face massive political hurdles, requiring a two-thirds vote in both the US House and Senate, as well as approval by three-quarters of state legislatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of the pronoun "he" | Exclusive |
| Gender-inclusive language | Not used |
| Ability of a woman to become president | Not acknowledged |
| Political hurdles to change pronouns | Two-thirds vote in the U.S. House and Senate, approval by three-quarters of state legislatures |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution uses male pronouns to refer to the President
- Changing the Constitution's pronouns would require a two-thirds vote in the US House and Senate
- The Constitution was ratified in 1787 when women couldn't vote
- The Constitution's use of male pronouns perpetuates misogyny
- The Constitution should be updated to acknowledge a woman's ability to become President
The US Constitution uses male pronouns to refer to the President
The US Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was ratified in 1787. At that time, women could not vote, and the idea of a woman president was not conceivable. This is reflected in the use of male pronouns in the Constitution to refer to the President.
The Constitution outlines the process of electing the President in Article II, Section 1, stating that "The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President..." While the use of "Person" indicates a neutrality in terms of gender, the subsequent text uses male pronouns, stating that "...if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President."
The use of male pronouns in reference to the President in the US Constitution has been a topic of discussion and debate. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need for gender-inclusive language in legal documents, including the Constitution. The exclusive use of "he" when referring to the President can be seen as outdated and inconsistent with modern values of gender equality.
Nicole Day, a law student at RWU, initiated a Change.org petition to update the pronouns used in the Constitution. Day argues that the continued use of "he" in reference to the President is damaging, particularly for young girls and women who aspire to political leadership. She highlights the reality gap between the language of the Constitution and the present day, where women are actively running for president and seeking political office.
Changing the language of the Constitution is not a simple task. It would require a two-thirds vote in both the US House and Senate, as well as approval by three-quarters of state legislatures. Despite the challenges, advocates for change believe that raising awareness and discussing the issue are important steps towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
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Changing the Constitution's pronouns would require a two-thirds vote in the US House and Senate
The US Constitution, as transcribed, uses the pronoun "he" when referring to the President of the United States. This is understandable, considering that the Constitution was ratified in 1787, when women could not vote. However, in the present day, with women running for president and winning the popular vote, it is time for the country's highest legal authority to acknowledge a woman's ability to become president.
Nicole Day, a student at RWU Law, has recently begun circulating a Change.org petition to change the exclusive use of the pronoun "he" in the Constitution. She explains that it is not just a matter of semantics, but a reflection of the history of gender inequality in the country, particularly in politics. Young girls observing women candidates running for president today will also see that the Constitution only refers to the president as "he." This reality gap can be damaging and may contribute to a culture of misogyny.
Changing the Constitution's pronouns, however, would face significant political challenges. It would require a two-thirds vote in both the US House and Senate, as well as approval by three-quarters of state legislatures. This feat of amending the Constitution has only been accomplished 27 times in US history. Nevertheless, Day emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and sparking conversations about this issue.
While the petition may not immediately lead to tangible changes, it is a step towards making the Constitution more inclusive and reflective of the diverse society it governs. It is worth noting that the use of gender-inclusive language, such as "he or she" or simply "they", can be a small but impactful step towards promoting gender equality and ensuring that the language of the Constitution does not perpetuate outdated notions of gender roles.
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The Constitution was ratified in 1787 when women couldn't vote
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was ratified in 1787. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The Constitution was ratified when women could not vote, and this is reflected in the use of exclusively male pronouns in the document. For example, Article II, Section 1, Clause 3 of the Constitution refers to the President using the male pronoun, with the Person having the greatest Number of Votes becoming the President.
The use of male pronouns in the Constitution has been a topic of debate and discussion, with some arguing that it is time to change the exclusive use of "he" in the document. Nicole Day, a law student at RWU, started a Change.org petition to this effect, acknowledging the challenges of changing the Constitution's pronouns but emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and sparking conversations. Day points out the incongruity between the Constitution's language and the modern reality of women running for president and winning the popular vote. She highlights the potential impact of young girls seeing women candidates and then encountering the exclusive use of "he" in government classes when studying the Constitution.
The Constitution's language reflects the historical context of women's rights and the fact that women could not vote when it was ratified. However, the persistence of male pronouns in the document, despite changing societal norms and increasing gender equality, raises questions about implicit misogyny and the continued influence of patriarchal cultural lessons. While some professors and educators actively use gender-inclusive language when discussing the Constitution, the document itself has not been formally altered to include gender-neutral pronouns.
Changing the Constitution's pronouns would require a two-thirds vote in both the U.S. House and Senate and approval by three-quarters of state legislatures, a significant political challenge. Nevertheless, the discussion surrounding this issue is essential, as it highlights the need for inclusive language in legal documents and the ongoing efforts to address gender inequality in politics and beyond.
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The Constitution's use of male pronouns perpetuates misogyny
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was drafted in 1787. At the time, women could not vote, and the language used reflected the social norms of the era. The Constitution uses the pronoun "he" when referring to the President of the United States. While this may have been acceptable in the 18th century, the world has changed since then, and the Constitution's language has not kept up with the times.
The exclusive use of male pronouns in the Constitution perpetuates misogyny by implying that only men can or should hold the office of President. This implicit bias may contribute to a culture that discourages women from pursuing political leadership roles and perpetuates the idea that women are less capable or qualified than men. The Constitution, as the highest legal authority in the land, should be a document that reflects the values of equality and inclusivity, rather than reinforcing outdated and discriminatory gender norms.
The impact of this language is particularly harmful to young girls and women who aspire to political careers. When they see that the Constitution only refers to the president as "he," it sends a message that their leadership is not valued or recognized. This can create a sense of dissonance and discouragement, especially when they see women running for president in the present day. The Constitution's language reinforces the idea that women are somehow "other" in the political sphere, which can be internalized and contribute to a culture of misogyny.
Changing the Constitution's pronouns to be gender-neutral or inclusive is not just a matter of political correctness or semantics. It is about recognizing and addressing the implicit biases and historical gender inequality that have excluded and disadvantaged women. While there are significant political hurdles to amending the Constitution, it is important to start the conversation and raise awareness about this issue. By acknowledging and addressing the Constitution's use of male pronouns, we can take a step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society that values the leadership and contributions of women.
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The Constitution should be updated to acknowledge a woman's ability to become President
The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It was drafted in 1787, a time when women could not vote, and this is reflected in the use of "he" and "his" as the pronouns for the President. While the Constitution does not explicitly state that only men can be President, the exclusive use of male pronouns can be seen as a reflection of the gender inequality that existed at the time.
In recent years, there have been calls to update the Constitution to include gender-neutral language, such as "she", "he", or "they", when referring to the President. Proponents of this change argue that it is necessary to acknowledge a woman's ability to become President and to address the implicit misogyny that exists in the document. They believe that young girls and women who aspire to political office may be discouraged by the Constitution's use of exclusively male pronouns, even if it is not legally binding.
While some may argue that changing the pronouns in the Constitution is purely a matter of semantics, it is important to recognize the power that language has in shaping our beliefs and perceptions. The use of gender-inclusive language in the Constitution would send a powerful message that women are equally qualified and capable of holding the office of President. It would also bring the document in line with modern standards of gender equality and help to create a more inclusive political culture.
However, making any changes to the Constitution is a complex and challenging process. Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate, as well as approval by three-quarters of state legislatures. This high bar for amendment ensures that the Constitution remains stable and that any changes made have broad support across the country. While some may view this as a necessary safeguard, others may see it as a barrier to much-needed reform.
In conclusion, while the Constitution may have been written with different social and political norms in mind, it is essential to recognize that times have changed. Updating the Constitution to acknowledge a woman's ability to become President is not just a matter of political correctness, but a necessary step towards creating a more inclusive and equal society. By using gender-neutral language, we can ensure that the highest legal authority in the land reflects the diversity and values of the modern United States.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the word "man" is not written in the US Constitution. However, the Constitution does use the pronoun "he" when referring to the President of the United States.
The US Constitution was ratified in 1787 when women could not vote, which explains the use of "he" instead of gender-neutral language.
Yes, there have been efforts to change the exclusive use of the pronoun "he" in the US Constitution. For example, RWU Law student Nicole Day started a Change.org petition to update the language, acknowledging that it faces massive political hurdles.
