Inclusive writing: Family
General guidance
- Bear in mind that there are many different configurations and definitions of ‘family’.
- For example, a child may be cared for by birth parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, divorced parents, step-parents, single parents, same-gender parents, extended family members, carers and/or others.
- Where appropriate, consider using gender-neutral terms, rather than those that make any sex distinction.
- Sometimes it may be necessary to use gender-specific terminology such as ‘mother’ or ‘father’; ‘son’ or ‘daughter’; or ‘husband’ or ‘wife’.
- However, depending on your audience and the context of your writing, you may want to consider alternative terms such as ‘parent/carer’, ‘child/dependant’ or ‘partner/spouse’.
University context
This guidance specifically relates to student audiences, and is aimed at those who write about or to their parents, carers and supporters.
- We recognise that the people supporting students at University may not be their parents.
- Rather than just using ‘parents’, ideally use ‘parents, carers and supporters’. ‘Parents and carers’ and ‘parents/carers’ are also acceptable.
- When writing generally to parents or carers of students, rather than referring to ‘your child’ or ‘your son/daughter’, you could use ‘your child/dependant’ or ‘the student you are supporting’.
- Bear in mind that not everyone may have living parents or be in touch with their parents. These audiences may feel excluded by messaging around parents.
- Find more information for estranged students (those who are under 25 and have limited or no communication with either of their parents).
- Bear in mind that students who have experience of care may feel excluded by messaging around parents.
- Find more information for care experienced students.
- Take care to consider mature student audiences and postgraduate students, who may have different relationships with their parents/carers than younger students.
- Some students are parents/carers themselves. Be careful not to confuse audiences, for example by using ‘student parents’ without explaining which group you mean.
- Find more information for students who are parents and carers.
Find more information for parents and carers of students.