Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) have published a handbook recommending staff to use “gender-inclusive” parenting language.
It suggests changing the term “breastfeeding” to “chestfeeding”, “mother’s milk” to “human milk”, “mother” to “gestational” or “birthing parent”, and “father” to “non-gestational” or “non-birthing parent”.
So far, ANU has thankfully distanced itself from the handbook, stating that it is not an official ANU policy, but rather a guide developed by researchers.
The guide comes after a UK hospital issued similarly “inclusive” guidelines to midwives last week, also telling them to use terms like “chestfeeding”, “human milk” and “birthing parents” to avoid offending trans and non-binary people.
Asides from their absurdity, such directions are the latest in what feels like a concerted effort to erase women – and our unique lived experiences as women – from society. Women’s awards, women’s places on sporting teams, women’s spaces and now terminology that goes to the core of our very identity are being hijacked by a fanatical political correctness.
Everyone should have access to respectful, appropriate health care and this includes women. We must not be erased from the reality of our own biology and the unique lived experiences this entails.
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