Forget ‘boys and girls’ – teachers told to watch their gendered language in a push that some call inclusive, others indoctrination

Teachers are being strongly discouraged from calling students ‘boys and girls’ or ‘guys’ to make classes more inclusive – and you won’t believe some of the suggested alternatives.

“Cherubs”, “friends” and “funsters” are some examples of the non-gendered language creeping into Australian classrooms.

But collective terms like “boys and girls” and even the seemingly non-provocative “guys” are apparently out the door in the push for teachers to use more gender-inclusive language when addressing their class.

This push is directed by policy documents across states and territories which encourage teachers to use ‘non-gendered’ and ‘gender-inclusive’ language in classrooms and workplaces – which the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) has criticised as “indoctrination”.

The NSW Teachers Federation recently published a magazine article urging teachers to greet their classes as “epic humans, future leaders, intellectuals and change-makers”.

The NSW Teachers Federation guide on gender-neutral class greetings.

A policy document from South Australia’s Education Department states teachers are “responsible for promoting the use of inclusive and non-gendered language within the education or early childhood service setting”.

Similar policies and guides have been issued in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, which encourage inclusive language at public sector workplaces, including schools.

Catholic schools educate nearly 20 per cent of students nationally.

Their use of language is guided by principles set out by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in 2022 which acknowledged “substantial pressure” on educators around gendered terms and encouraged staff “to create an environment hospitable to a life of faith”.

Debate over non-gendered language flared up again online, with Reddit users offering examples of terms they use to collectively address students.

It came after one teacher claimed they were reprimanded for using the term “chooks” as it was not “gender-neutral or appropriate”.

Cherubs, squad, babies, gang, funsters and comrades were some alternatives suggested.

Other teachers stated they stick with “boys and girls” while one teacher urged their colleagues to stop being “too precious”.

Daisy Berry works as a facilitator and parenting practitioner for gender-diverse children and families.

They said non-gendered language is “hugely important” for some students.

“Having teachers use gender-inclusive language has huge impacts on kids’ mental health and shows gender-diverse children they are included and seen,” they said.

“There are more and more young people coming out as trans and gender-diverse, so it’s a positive shift that schools are doing this.”

Daisy Berry works as parenting practitioner for gender-diverse children and their families.

Dr Bella d'Abrera described policies encouraging gender neutral language as “indoctrination”.

Dr Bella d’Abrera from the IPA hit back at the shift, arguing “parents, not bureaucrats, should be the ones guiding how their children are raised”.

“These virtue-signalling policies do nothing to help young Australians develop the core skills they’ll need to lead successful and flourishing lives,” Dr d’Abrera said.

“Parents send their children to school trusting that they’ll be taught the basics – reading, writing and maths – not fringe theories dreamed up by radical activists.

“Most mums and dads expect teachers to understand biological reality, and to use the terms ‘boys’ and ‘girls’, which is simply common sense.”

Transcend Australia chief executive Susanne Prosser said the use of these terms should not be about politics or ideology.

“We know that when young people are affirmed in their identity, their mental health and wellbeing improve – and that helps them stay engaged at school,” Ms Prosser said.

“Inclusive language isn’t a burden – it’s a simple act of respect that prioritises a student’s dignity and creates safer classrooms.”

Are you a teacher who’s seen ‘non-inclusive’ language be policed in the classroom? Share your story with us at [e-mail]

Originally published as Forget ‘boys and girls’ – teachers told to watch their gendered language in a push that some call inclusive, others indoctrination