Mother and father are ‘oppressive’ words, says charity language guide

A taxpayer-funded aid organization has published a language guide advising Scots to stop using words like “mother” and “father” to avoid being “oppressive”.

The Scottish International Development Alliance (SIDA) is behind the document, which it says aims to help people “avoid prejudice, stop reinforcing existing power structures and convey respect”.

Among the words classified as “problematic” are “girls”, “boys”, “mother” and “father”. Instead, people are encouraged to use “parent” or “guardian” along with “colleagues” and “everyone.”

Terms like “third world” and “foreign aid” are also frowned upon.

The Inclusive Language Guide, published in February, states that “only by talking and reflecting on language can we hope to make it anti-oppressive.”

Critics say the guide is a way for “red pencil zealots” to enforce “radical progressive dogma.”

The charity, which “inclusively champions global sustainable development in Scotland”, receives an annual grant from the Scottish Government.

The SIDA guide, aimed at its members such as non-governmental organizations and public sector bodies, offers alternatives for words it considers “problematic”.

He advises against saying “foreign aid,” stating that this “paternalistic language implies an unequal power relationship marked by altruism that denies the unfair distribution of resources that defines that dynamic.” He suggests that a better phrase would be “social development financing.”

A spokesman for the Free Speech Union said: “The only word I would ban is ‘problematic’.

‘It’s an attempt to overlook the fact that the real reason these red-penciled bigots want to ban words like mother and father is to impose radical progressive dogma.

“Problematic” is a euphemism for “things I would like to ban for narrow ideological reasons.”

The guide states: ‘Only by talking and reflecting on language can we hope to make it anti-oppressive. As part of this goal, we also hope to adopt ideal language where possible.”

Among the terms he advises people to be careful about using is “vulnerable.” The guide states: ‘This term is fine if not used in a patronizing way. So let’s not say “vulnerable people” as a synonym for the majority world, but we can say that some groups of people are vulnerable to their circumstances.’

He says that “majority world” is the preferred term for what is commonly called the “third world.”

Other words it says to avoid include “president” and “spokesperson,” although “president” or “spokesperson” are said to be more appropriate.

It also says members should avoid “labor,” offering “labor” as an alternative.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the Taxpayers Alliance, said: ‘This organization is proposing language changes based on a radical ideological agenda and is using taxpayers’ money as a support structure.

“The Scottish Government should withdraw funding.”

SIDA chief executive Frances Guy said: ‘We did not mention banning any words and we are clear that context is important.

“With respect specifically to the terms mother and father, we simply encourage people to reflect on whether a gendered term is most appropriate or whether, in fact, the reference is to a parent or guardian.”