The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) issued guidance to families on Wednesday, advising parents to use the term “kids” instead of “son” or “daughter” in an effort to promote inclusivity. The department suggested that these traditional terms might not be inclusive enough.
The advice was shared in a social media post focused on “inclusive language for families.” The post also recommended using “family members” instead of “household members” to include individuals such as incarcerated persons, step-siblings, and others who may not reside in the same household.
The Vermont Department of Health put out a post informing families that they shouldn’t call their child “son” or “daughter” because it isn’t “inclusive” enough.
Yes, this is real. pic.twitter.com/Izt5neY1bS
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 28, 2024
“The language we use matters!” the health agency emphasized. “When talking about family, it’s important to use terms that cover the many versions of what family can look like.”
The department’s specific recommendations included:
Using “child” or “kid” instead of “daughter” or “son” as these terms are gender-neutral and can apply to children who might not be legal sons or daughters. Saying “family members” rather than “household members” to