When to use ‘gender’ and when to use ‘sex’
Think the words ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ are interchangeable? How about ‘female’ and ‘woman’? They aren’t. Here’s the difference.
Incorrect: “There are several factors that affect treatment such as viral load, current liver damage, lifestyle, age, and gender.” Correct: “There are several factors that affect treatment such as viral load, current liver damage, lifestyle, age, and sex.”
Related to this topic is how to correctly use the words “male” and “female.” Whenever possible, describe a person as a man or woman, boy, or girl. Using “male” and “female” as nouns can be dehumanizing and should be avoided.
Avoid: “Following the accident, a 30-year-old female was taken to the hospital.” Better: “Following the accident, a 30-year-old woman was taken to the hospital.”
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