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Should I simply ignore authors assuming I'm male in their response to my review of their article?
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I received a response about a manuscript I reviewed earlier, and the authors write about the reviewer (i.e., me) and his concerns. As a woman, I'm not so keen on this.
Obviously this isn't intentionally insulting or anything like that---it's a minor blip. Nevertheless, it's a bit irksome, and the feminist in me is thinking that's not right; it's a microaggression (one of the everyday reminders that you don't belong here).
I could simply ignore it, but...
Question: Should I simply ignore authors assuming I'm male in their response to my review of their article?
There's no issues inside the manuscript: they thank the reviewers without using pronouns.
I'm particularly interested in if an editor would typically just groan and consider me a troublemaker for saying anything. And probably not pass the message on to the authors anyway.
peer-review gender
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I received a response about a manuscript I reviewed earlier, and the authors write about the reviewer (i.e., me) and his concerns. As a woman, I'm not so keen on this.
Obviously this isn't intentionally insulting or anything like that---it's a minor blip. Nevertheless, it's a bit irksome, and the feminist in me is thinking that's not right; it's a microaggression (one of the everyday reminders that you don't belong here).
I could simply ignore it, but...
Question: Should I simply ignore authors assuming I'm male in their response to my review of their article?
There's no issues inside the manuscript: they thank the reviewers without using pronouns.
I'm particularly interested in if an editor would typically just groan and consider me a troublemaker for saying anything. And probably not pass the message on to the authors anyway.
peer-review gender
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I received a response about a manuscript I reviewed earlier, and the authors write about the reviewer (i.e., me) and his concerns. As a woman, I'm not so keen on this.
Obviously this isn't intentionally insulting or anything like that---it's a minor blip. Nevertheless, it's a bit irksome, and the feminist in me is thinking that's not right; it's a microaggression (one of the everyday reminders that you don't belong here).
I could simply ignore it, but...
Question: Should I simply ignore authors assuming I'm male in their response to my review of their article?
There's no issues inside the manuscript: they thank the reviewers without using pronouns.
I'm particularly interested in if an editor would typically just groan and consider me a troublemaker for saying anything. And probably not pass the message on to the authors anyway.
peer-review gender
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
I received a response about a manuscript I reviewed earlier, and the authors write about the reviewer (i.e., me) and his concerns. As a woman, I'm not so keen on this.
Obviously this isn't intentionally insulting or anything like that---it's a minor blip. Nevertheless, it's a bit irksome, and the feminist in me is thinking that's not right; it's a microaggression (one of the everyday reminders that you don't belong here).
I could simply ignore it, but...
Question: Should I simply ignore authors assuming I'm male in their response to my review of their article?
There's no issues inside the manuscript: they thank the reviewers without using pronouns.
I'm particularly interested in if an editor would typically just groan and consider me a troublemaker for saying anything. And probably not pass the message on to the authors anyway.
peer-review gender
peer-review gender
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
asked 1 hour ago
Rebecca J. Stones
4,88222436
4,88222436
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
I think you should let this one go.
If you have to use pronouns in situations where you don't know the author's gender, there's always a chance you get it wrong. For example take most questions here on Academia.SE. If you have to refer to the question-asker in a situation where the gender is unknown, do you use 'he' or 'she'? It's either choose one and risk the possibility of getting it wrong, or write 'he or she' everywhere and end up with a very cumbersome answer (not to mention there's still a chance you get it wrong, since it's possible the question-asker identifies as transgender and prefers 'they').
That said, you could write something like this:
The authors have addressed all the issues, and I recommend this paper for publication.
PS: I'm female.
Writing something short like this is unlikely to make the editor groan, and he or she (or they) will probably pass your comment on to the authors. Editors don't usually censor reviewers - that only happens if there's something really inappropriate in the review, and this certainly isn't something inappropriate.
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
4
The person you are referring to doesn't need to be trans for you to use "they" instead of "he/she". You can use it as a direct replacement of "he/she" in every instance.
– astronat
49 mins ago
That's new. As I was taught, "they" usually refers to more than one person.
– Allure
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I've found that some non-native English speakers use he for they, because that's how they'd do it in their mouther tongue. Perhaps mention (alongside any other language/style/etc.) issues:
In English, we use they, rather than he, when the person's gender is unknown.
From the comments:
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect).
Indeed, Strunk & White (The Elements of Style) write, "The use of he as a pronoun for nouns embracing both genders is a simple, practical convention rooted in the beginnings of the English language." They go on to add, "Currently, however, many writers find the use of the generic he or his to rename indefinite antecedents limiting or offensive."
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
3
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect). The old alternative was to use "one" rather than a gendered pronoun or to write "the reviewer's" instead of "his/her", but this sometimes obligates more complicated sentence structures that many were also taught that is bad style ...
– Dan Fox
30 mins ago
1
The relevant post at English.SE is: Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun (“his†vs. “her†vs. “theirâ€Â)?
– Rebecca J. Stones
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As a reviewer, you are supposed to comment on academic value and scientific correctness of the manuscript.
As a woman, you feel unhappy about authors not guessing a correct pronoun for you and not using an appropriate gender-neutral pronoun.
It seems that the issue has nothing to do with the manuscript and hence you are not reacting with your reviewer hat on. You are considering your response based on your role as woman/feminist/activist — but not as a reviewer. You are not reviewing the paper, you are reviewing author's communicative behaviour.
As long as you make it clear that you are not commenting as as reviewer of a manuscript, I think you can make this remark to the editor.
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
I think you should let this one go.
If you have to use pronouns in situations where you don't know the author's gender, there's always a chance you get it wrong. For example take most questions here on Academia.SE. If you have to refer to the question-asker in a situation where the gender is unknown, do you use 'he' or 'she'? It's either choose one and risk the possibility of getting it wrong, or write 'he or she' everywhere and end up with a very cumbersome answer (not to mention there's still a chance you get it wrong, since it's possible the question-asker identifies as transgender and prefers 'they').
That said, you could write something like this:
The authors have addressed all the issues, and I recommend this paper for publication.
PS: I'm female.
Writing something short like this is unlikely to make the editor groan, and he or she (or they) will probably pass your comment on to the authors. Editors don't usually censor reviewers - that only happens if there's something really inappropriate in the review, and this certainly isn't something inappropriate.
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
4
The person you are referring to doesn't need to be trans for you to use "they" instead of "he/she". You can use it as a direct replacement of "he/she" in every instance.
– astronat
49 mins ago
That's new. As I was taught, "they" usually refers to more than one person.
– Allure
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I think you should let this one go.
If you have to use pronouns in situations where you don't know the author's gender, there's always a chance you get it wrong. For example take most questions here on Academia.SE. If you have to refer to the question-asker in a situation where the gender is unknown, do you use 'he' or 'she'? It's either choose one and risk the possibility of getting it wrong, or write 'he or she' everywhere and end up with a very cumbersome answer (not to mention there's still a chance you get it wrong, since it's possible the question-asker identifies as transgender and prefers 'they').
That said, you could write something like this:
The authors have addressed all the issues, and I recommend this paper for publication.
PS: I'm female.
Writing something short like this is unlikely to make the editor groan, and he or she (or they) will probably pass your comment on to the authors. Editors don't usually censor reviewers - that only happens if there's something really inappropriate in the review, and this certainly isn't something inappropriate.
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
4
The person you are referring to doesn't need to be trans for you to use "they" instead of "he/she". You can use it as a direct replacement of "he/she" in every instance.
– astronat
49 mins ago
That's new. As I was taught, "they" usually refers to more than one person.
– Allure
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
I think you should let this one go.
If you have to use pronouns in situations where you don't know the author's gender, there's always a chance you get it wrong. For example take most questions here on Academia.SE. If you have to refer to the question-asker in a situation where the gender is unknown, do you use 'he' or 'she'? It's either choose one and risk the possibility of getting it wrong, or write 'he or she' everywhere and end up with a very cumbersome answer (not to mention there's still a chance you get it wrong, since it's possible the question-asker identifies as transgender and prefers 'they').
That said, you could write something like this:
The authors have addressed all the issues, and I recommend this paper for publication.
PS: I'm female.
Writing something short like this is unlikely to make the editor groan, and he or she (or they) will probably pass your comment on to the authors. Editors don't usually censor reviewers - that only happens if there's something really inappropriate in the review, and this certainly isn't something inappropriate.
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
I think you should let this one go.
If you have to use pronouns in situations where you don't know the author's gender, there's always a chance you get it wrong. For example take most questions here on Academia.SE. If you have to refer to the question-asker in a situation where the gender is unknown, do you use 'he' or 'she'? It's either choose one and risk the possibility of getting it wrong, or write 'he or she' everywhere and end up with a very cumbersome answer (not to mention there's still a chance you get it wrong, since it's possible the question-asker identifies as transgender and prefers 'they').
That said, you could write something like this:
The authors have addressed all the issues, and I recommend this paper for publication.
PS: I'm female.
Writing something short like this is unlikely to make the editor groan, and he or she (or they) will probably pass your comment on to the authors. Editors don't usually censor reviewers - that only happens if there's something really inappropriate in the review, and this certainly isn't something inappropriate.
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
answered 1 hour ago
Allure
21.1k1369114
21.1k1369114
4
The person you are referring to doesn't need to be trans for you to use "they" instead of "he/she". You can use it as a direct replacement of "he/she" in every instance.
– astronat
49 mins ago
That's new. As I was taught, "they" usually refers to more than one person.
– Allure
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4
The person you are referring to doesn't need to be trans for you to use "they" instead of "he/she". You can use it as a direct replacement of "he/she" in every instance.
– astronat
49 mins ago
That's new. As I was taught, "they" usually refers to more than one person.
– Allure
10 mins ago
4
4
The person you are referring to doesn't need to be trans for you to use "they" instead of "he/she". You can use it as a direct replacement of "he/she" in every instance.
– astronat
49 mins ago
The person you are referring to doesn't need to be trans for you to use "they" instead of "he/she". You can use it as a direct replacement of "he/she" in every instance.
– astronat
49 mins ago
That's new. As I was taught, "they" usually refers to more than one person.
– Allure
10 mins ago
That's new. As I was taught, "they" usually refers to more than one person.
– Allure
10 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I've found that some non-native English speakers use he for they, because that's how they'd do it in their mouther tongue. Perhaps mention (alongside any other language/style/etc.) issues:
In English, we use they, rather than he, when the person's gender is unknown.
From the comments:
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect).
Indeed, Strunk & White (The Elements of Style) write, "The use of he as a pronoun for nouns embracing both genders is a simple, practical convention rooted in the beginnings of the English language." They go on to add, "Currently, however, many writers find the use of the generic he or his to rename indefinite antecedents limiting or offensive."
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
3
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect). The old alternative was to use "one" rather than a gendered pronoun or to write "the reviewer's" instead of "his/her", but this sometimes obligates more complicated sentence structures that many were also taught that is bad style ...
– Dan Fox
30 mins ago
1
The relevant post at English.SE is: Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun (“his†vs. “her†vs. “theirâ€Â)?
– Rebecca J. Stones
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I've found that some non-native English speakers use he for they, because that's how they'd do it in their mouther tongue. Perhaps mention (alongside any other language/style/etc.) issues:
In English, we use they, rather than he, when the person's gender is unknown.
From the comments:
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect).
Indeed, Strunk & White (The Elements of Style) write, "The use of he as a pronoun for nouns embracing both genders is a simple, practical convention rooted in the beginnings of the English language." They go on to add, "Currently, however, many writers find the use of the generic he or his to rename indefinite antecedents limiting or offensive."
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
3
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect). The old alternative was to use "one" rather than a gendered pronoun or to write "the reviewer's" instead of "his/her", but this sometimes obligates more complicated sentence structures that many were also taught that is bad style ...
– Dan Fox
30 mins ago
1
The relevant post at English.SE is: Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun (“his†vs. “her†vs. “theirâ€Â)?
– Rebecca J. Stones
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
I've found that some non-native English speakers use he for they, because that's how they'd do it in their mouther tongue. Perhaps mention (alongside any other language/style/etc.) issues:
In English, we use they, rather than he, when the person's gender is unknown.
From the comments:
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect).
Indeed, Strunk & White (The Elements of Style) write, "The use of he as a pronoun for nouns embracing both genders is a simple, practical convention rooted in the beginnings of the English language." They go on to add, "Currently, however, many writers find the use of the generic he or his to rename indefinite antecedents limiting or offensive."
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
I've found that some non-native English speakers use he for they, because that's how they'd do it in their mouther tongue. Perhaps mention (alongside any other language/style/etc.) issues:
In English, we use they, rather than he, when the person's gender is unknown.
From the comments:
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect).
Indeed, Strunk & White (The Elements of Style) write, "The use of he as a pronoun for nouns embracing both genders is a simple, practical convention rooted in the beginnings of the English language." They go on to add, "Currently, however, many writers find the use of the generic he or his to rename indefinite antecedents limiting or offensive."
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
edited 8 mins ago
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
answered 38 mins ago
user2768
7,84412440
7,84412440
3
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect). The old alternative was to use "one" rather than a gendered pronoun or to write "the reviewer's" instead of "his/her", but this sometimes obligates more complicated sentence structures that many were also taught that is bad style ...
– Dan Fox
30 mins ago
1
The relevant post at English.SE is: Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun (“his†vs. “her†vs. “theirâ€Â)?
– Rebecca J. Stones
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect). The old alternative was to use "one" rather than a gendered pronoun or to write "the reviewer's" instead of "his/her", but this sometimes obligates more complicated sentence structures that many were also taught that is bad style ...
– Dan Fox
30 mins ago
1
The relevant post at English.SE is: Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun (“his†vs. “her†vs. “theirâ€Â)?
– Rebecca J. Stones
18 mins ago
3
3
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect). The old alternative was to use "one" rather than a gendered pronoun or to write "the reviewer's" instead of "his/her", but this sometimes obligates more complicated sentence structures that many were also taught that is bad style ...
– Dan Fox
30 mins ago
Most native English speakers over a certain age were taught that the use of "they" to refer to a single person is incorrect (I continue to consider it incorrect). The old alternative was to use "one" rather than a gendered pronoun or to write "the reviewer's" instead of "his/her", but this sometimes obligates more complicated sentence structures that many were also taught that is bad style ...
– Dan Fox
30 mins ago
1
1
The relevant post at English.SE is: Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun (“his†vs. “her†vs. “theirâ€Â)?
– Rebecca J. Stones
18 mins ago
The relevant post at English.SE is: Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun (“his†vs. “her†vs. “theirâ€Â)?
– Rebecca J. Stones
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As a reviewer, you are supposed to comment on academic value and scientific correctness of the manuscript.
As a woman, you feel unhappy about authors not guessing a correct pronoun for you and not using an appropriate gender-neutral pronoun.
It seems that the issue has nothing to do with the manuscript and hence you are not reacting with your reviewer hat on. You are considering your response based on your role as woman/feminist/activist — but not as a reviewer. You are not reviewing the paper, you are reviewing author's communicative behaviour.
As long as you make it clear that you are not commenting as as reviewer of a manuscript, I think you can make this remark to the editor.
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As a reviewer, you are supposed to comment on academic value and scientific correctness of the manuscript.
As a woman, you feel unhappy about authors not guessing a correct pronoun for you and not using an appropriate gender-neutral pronoun.
It seems that the issue has nothing to do with the manuscript and hence you are not reacting with your reviewer hat on. You are considering your response based on your role as woman/feminist/activist — but not as a reviewer. You are not reviewing the paper, you are reviewing author's communicative behaviour.
As long as you make it clear that you are not commenting as as reviewer of a manuscript, I think you can make this remark to the editor.
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
As a reviewer, you are supposed to comment on academic value and scientific correctness of the manuscript.
As a woman, you feel unhappy about authors not guessing a correct pronoun for you and not using an appropriate gender-neutral pronoun.
It seems that the issue has nothing to do with the manuscript and hence you are not reacting with your reviewer hat on. You are considering your response based on your role as woman/feminist/activist — but not as a reviewer. You are not reviewing the paper, you are reviewing author's communicative behaviour.
As long as you make it clear that you are not commenting as as reviewer of a manuscript, I think you can make this remark to the editor.
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
As a reviewer, you are supposed to comment on academic value and scientific correctness of the manuscript.
As a woman, you feel unhappy about authors not guessing a correct pronoun for you and not using an appropriate gender-neutral pronoun.
It seems that the issue has nothing to do with the manuscript and hence you are not reacting with your reviewer hat on. You are considering your response based on your role as woman/feminist/activist — but not as a reviewer. You are not reviewing the paper, you are reviewing author's communicative behaviour.
As long as you make it clear that you are not commenting as as reviewer of a manuscript, I think you can make this remark to the editor.
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
answered 15 mins ago
Dmitry Savostyanov
20.8k646101
20.8k646101
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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