Abstract
Keywords
In our continuing commitment to be respectful and inclusive of all people, the Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) is introducing sex and gender-inclusive language guidelines and policies to better align with movements toward greater health equity and social and publication ethics. The aim of this policy is to facilitate higher quality publications and gender and sex inclusivity.
Rationale
Precision and Clarity of Language
The JHL editorial team seeks to publish the highest-level science and literature possible; and for that reason, precision and clarity of language are paramount. Our goal in developing this policy was to facilitate greater clarity in the language used and definitions of terminology. The JHL adheres to American Psychological Association (APA; 7th edition) style guidelines, which emphasize the reduction of bias in writing (American Psychological Association, 2020, p. 131–149). The JHL strongly recommends that all submitting authors read this section before submitting their manuscripts to avoid biased language. We do edit carefully for all forms of bias.
The language used in JHL to date has been predominantly cisnormative—referring almost exclusively to people who give birth and lactate as “women” and “mothers.” Although this language is the convention in our field, we recognize this language does not accurately represent the entirety of the childbearing/lactating population and has the potential to be biased, inaccurate, and harmful.
Ideally, investigators conducting research with human participants should gather demographic data that includes both self-identified gender identity and sex assigned at birth (e.g., male, female, other) using non-binary categories (Bamberger & Farrow, 2021; Dodgson & Bamberger, 2021). When describing participants’ characteristics, the terms that individuals use to identify themselves and their bodies must be respected. When writing about a group that potentially includes more than cisgender women, inclusive language is essential.
Due to the changing nature of language and terms used by the transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) communities, and the wider LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus) communities, as well as regional and cultural differences in terminology, we encourage writers to seek reputable language resources. In many cases, study participants may be the most reliable resource for understanding terms that they use to describe themselves (American Psychological Association, 2020).
Cultural Diversity in Sex and Gender Topics
The JHL is an internationally relevant journal with a global audience. As sex and gender are irrevocably tied to cultural and social concepts, it is important that authors familiarize themselves with the terms and concepts concerning gender and sex within the populations they study. For example, a paper written about TGNC people in North America should account for and recognize Two-Spirit people and may find the acronym 2SLGBTQIA+ more appropriate. The JHL editorial team recognizes that this policy should be flexible in order to honor all cultures and people. We are committed to working with authors to ensure that the papers published in JHL are both sensitive and respectful of sex and gender issues, as well as appropriate culturally. We assume that sex and gender diversity exists in all places and cultures around the globe; however, we also recognizes that some geographical regions exist where it would be unsafe to ask participants to self-identify as a marginalized group. As well as some areas where inclusive research may not be safe or legal for the researcher. Papers may be exempt from the policies on these grounds, as necessary.
The Policy Statement
Manuscript Structure and Content
All manuscripts that address sex and gender should consider them as two separate variables and should use appropriate terminology (American Psychological Association, 2020; Heidari et al., 2016).
Authors who have not addressed sex and gender identity separately in conceptualizing or conducting their study may be asked to provide a rationale for why this issue was not addressed. If sex and gender data were not collected, assumptions should not be made or reported.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria should address both sex and gender in adequate detail or provide rationale for its omission.
If sex or gender data could have been relevant but the research team was not able to collect it, this is a limitation of study design and should be addressed in the limitations section.
When reporting results, data should be disaggregated by sex and gender identity where appropriate. If data are presented in aggregate because sex and gender identity were not considered relevant or no significant differences were found, this should be stated.
Extra care should be taken to avoid presenting unnecessary information regarding TGNC persons in manuscripts. Only data relevant to the manuscript should be presented to avoid unnecessary medicalization or stigmatization of gender nonconformity.
Manuscript Language and Grammar
Any words or language that implies or ascribes binary (male/female) gender should only be used to describe people whose gender identity is known to match those terms (e.g., mother/father, maternal/paternal, and wife/husband). If gender identity is not known, non-gendered options should be used (e.g., parent, parental, and spouse/partner).
Do not use terms that imply or that rely on assumptions that sex and gender are exclusively binary structures (e.g., “he/she” and “opposite sex”; American Psychological Association, 2020).
Current terms and definitions need to be used throughout the manuscript when discussing sex and gender. These terms may require operationalized definitions (e.g., “mother”).
When using pronouns to refer to specific persons, use the pronouns that they use to refer to themselves.
If pronouns are unknown or a hypothetical person is being discussed, non-gendered pronouns should be used or pronouns should be avoided all together (American Psychological Association, 2020, p. 140).
Many terms are often understood in English with gendered connotations or context (e.g., mother, paternal, and breastfeeding). These terms, and terms that contain these words, need to be clearly defined in a way that appropriately accounts for the existence of diversity and accurately indicates the intended understanding of the term within the context of the paper.
All gender expression, gender identity, sex and sexual orientation of participants needs to be respectful. In rare cases, people may identify in terms that are largely viewed as pejorative. These terms may not be appropriate for publication (American Psychological Association, 2020, p. 133).
JHL does not have an official preference for acronyms used to refer to the LGBTQIA+ communities. If using an acronym, the letters used are at the discretion of the author. We ask that authors choose an acronym that is reflective of the group they are referring to and is relevant to the gender expressions of the culture or cultures discussed.
The JHL editorial staff seeks to be current and internationally relevant, as well as inclusive and accurate in what we publish. This policy was conceived and designed with that in mind. We recognize that the topics addressed by this policy, as well as language, are constantly evolving. Therefore, it is our intent to revise and update this policy periodically. We welcome thoughtful feedback about this policy and ask that they be directed to our Editor in Chief(jhleditorinchief@gmail.com) or submitted as a letter to the editor. This policy goes into effect July 1, 2021.
Footnotes
Editor’s note
For a further discussion on the usage of gendered language and terminology, please see Bamberger and Farrow (2021) and for a further discussion of the implications this policy has for research see Dodgson and Bamberger (2021).
Disclosures and conflicts of interest
The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Ethan Bamberger was a JHL Associate Editor at the writing of this policy. The editorial team members participating in the development of this policy were: Ellen Chetwynd, PhD, IBCLC; Joan E. Dodgson, PhD; Laura Duckett, PhD; Sara Gill, PhD, IBCLC, and Kathleen Marinelli, MD, IBCLC. Aiden Farrow was a member of the JHL Editorial Review Board.
