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’.

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.

To find further information about behaviour that is not tolerated at the University, and report unacceptable behaviour, visit our pages for students or staff.