Just reading? How gender-fair language triggers readers’ use of gender-fair forms
Abstract
Gender-fair language, that is, referring to men and women with symmetrical linguistic forms, has been found to promote gender equality, but it is largely unknown which factors help make gender-fair forms more common in everyday life. Two studies examined whether speakers of German used more gender-fair forms after reading a text with gender-fair wording (vs. masculine generics vs. no personal nouns vs. another topic). Both studies showed consistently that women used more gender-fair forms after reading the gender-fair text than the other texts, whereas men did not. Men employed more gender-fair forms only after being made aware of these forms (Study 2). To conclude, merely reading gender-fair texts enhances women’s inclination to use gender-fair language, whereas men need to be made aware of this type of language use. Both studies highlight the importance of using gender-fair language frequently and consistently in everyday life.
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In Koeser et al. (2015), overall gender-inclusive formulations were used infrequently (on average, in only 2-3 out of 10 gaps).
“Although overall gender-inclusive formulations were used infrequently (on average, in only 2–3 out of 10 gaps)”
From What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Koeser et al., 2015
In Koeser et al. (2015), women who had previously read a gender-inclusive text were more likely to use gender-inclusive language than men in the same condition.
“women who had previously read a gender-inclusive text were more likely to use gender-inclusive language than men in the same condition.”
From What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Koeser et al., 2015
In Koeser et al. (2015), women used fewer gender-inclusive wordings in all other text conditions, whereas men's language use remained unchanged regardless of text condition.
“Women used fewer gender-inclusive wordings in all other text conditions, whereas men’s language use remained unchanged regardless of text condition.”
From What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Koeser et al., 2015
For men (but not for women), behavioral change only occurred when a direct reference to gender-inclusive language was stated in the text.
“For men (but not for women), behavioral change only occurred when a direct reference to gender-inclusive language was stated in the text.”
From What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Koeser et al. (2015)
Koeser et al. (2015) found that reading gender-inclusive texts led participants-especially women-to use gender-inclusive language more frequently.
“Koeser et al. (2015) found that reading gender-inclusive texts led participants—especially women—to use gender-inclusive language more frequently.”
From What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Koeser et al. (2015)
Cites
Does Sex‐biased Job Advertising “Aid and Abet” Sex Discrimination? <sup>1</sup>
Bem, S. L., & Bem, D. J. (1973) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1973.tb01290.x · Cited by 218 · see citing works
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What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review
Lange, E., & von Stockhausen, L. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1657753 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
- Authors
- Koeser, S., Kuhn, E. A., & Sczesny, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Bern (CH)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
- ORCID
- Sczesny, Sabine
- Venue
- Journal of Language and Social Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-12-10
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 343-357
- ISSN
- 0261-927X (ISSN-L)
- 1552-6526
- OpenAlex
- W2117436249
- Cited by
- 43
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 4.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Language and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Studies in Language
- Social Sciences › Linguistics and Language › Linguistic Variation and Morphology
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
- Keywords
- gender-inclusive language, generic masculine, gender equality, language use, reading effects, gender differences, German language
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