Efforts are under way to involve children into the fight against sexism. As a result, sudents are encouraged to call out sexist language used by their teachers.

Anderton Park primary school in Birmingham, UK, is banning gendered phrases in an effort to combat sexism. The words to be left out from everyday use include „let s go, guys” and „boys and girls.”

Children are also involved in the ideological battle. According to The Times, they are urged to protest against their teachers using sexist language, like „grow a pair” or „boys don t cry.” Students who call out sexist language are then rewarded with a certificate.

„The phrase Good morning boys and girls  is not used in this school,” the school s principal told The Times. „Instead all teachers say, Good morning everyone. ” Regarding the word guys , Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson added that it „is an interesting example how a word that signifies men has come to be used for everyone”. In her view, such seemingly innocent terms only reinforce a sexist culture.

Challenging sexist language, photos of little girls holding posters have appeared on the internet. The posters say they are not guys so the generalising term, deemed as sexist by some, should not be used to address them.

Earlier, the word guys was also found problematic in Australia. The leader of Diversity Council Australia pointed out that some people could feel excluded by the term. Although the word guys can be used to mean both men and women, the term could be „problematic for some gender-nonconforming or trans people, for whom guys could be an instance of misgendereing,” a report by Diversity Council Australia found.

At the time the issue emerged, a university professor of linguistics suggested adopting everybody  or people, instead of guys , as these terms are not offensive.