On Filling Out Forms
October 25th 2007 14:19
Are forms ever innocuous texts? I don't think so!
It annoys me profusely when a form requires that I fill in my 'family' name, since my last name is different to every single person in my immediate (and extended) family... and how about people who don't have families at all, like orphans? This term is discriminatory and should be banned from use. I have a similar gripe with 'given' names- I don't use the name that was "given" to me as I picked my own first name (and hence gave it to myself). Why can't we just use 'First' and 'Last' so as not to exclude anybody? Then there's forms that ask for your 'Christian' name - Hello, we aren't living in the Middle Ages anymore! The church and the state haven't been conflated with each other for a long time, so making such a blatant appeal to Christian values is not only outdated, it should be illegal. [I'd like to apologise for assuming that 'surname' was made up of a derivation of 'sir' - I have since been informed that it means 'over'.] I think 'Maiden' name is imbued with gender politics which should be obsolete at this time and age.
I am a careful consumer of the information in the world around me, and it saddens me when such minor details aren't given much thought. I have never come across another person who feels as passionately as I do about these terms, and so I feel the need to bring them to your attention. Let's make a change starting from terminology we have been conditioned to believe is 'neutral' and 'innocuous,' 'beyond suspicion.'
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Comment by katyzzz
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katyzzz
Comment by Techno
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Techno
Comment by Nonymous
Philosophy Blog
I was surprised at "surname"... Don't know how non-ironic your post is, but would you suggest that any word that sounds reminiscent of a male word should be avoided? For instance, "surrounded", "surrender", "surprise", "surmount", "survive"... Or "history", "histrionics", "hysterectomy"... "Manifold", "manoeuvre", "manipulate", "many"...
What about anything sounding like a female word? -- "Mistake", "amiss", "malady", "misanthrope", "mise-en-scene"...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree, forms generally don't allow much deviation from the 'norm'. They're frustrating for so many reasons...I usually don't have enough room for my surname as it's hyphenated..some adjustments would be great.
Tracy
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I rant about this too - you should have seen me raving on Mrs M's post about changing last names - and I want to add something:
Forms also confine you to a choice of genders, even if a person is transgendered, intersexed, or transcends to social constructions of gender in some way.
I know all of it is about practicality, but there are many of people for whom the practicality of being ordered according to family name, gender, etc doesn't work.
Great post,
Michaelie
Comment by Patricia Graff
Inside my Mind
Free Speech
Your forms sound tedious as hell! Too bad you can't "autofill" them.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
Adrian, I apologise for assuming that "sur" was a derivation of "sir" - I looked it up, and it actually means 'over'... I'll do my research before posting next time! You mentioned 'history' - have you heard anyone use the term 'herstory' as a substitute?
Michaelie, I'm really happy to hear that you raise awareness to these issues as well, I *totally* agree about the cruelty of the binary gender divide - we really need to push for more awareness of transgender and intersex issues, because not enough people currently consider this a problem (obviously, as it hasn't been changed yet). What would you suggest? Perhaps 'FTM', 'MTF' and 'other' would be a good start.
Patricia, My other gripe is that there are still separate categories for married and unmarried women. We should all be 'Ms/Miss', I think... it's awful to be defined by one's marital status. I shudder at women like Gwen Stefani who have gotten all excited at the prospect of changing their prefix upon marriage.
Thank you everyone for stopping by...
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Btw, so glad to talk to someone about this properly. My family and friends think I'm a nutcase when I go on about it; they don't get that it DOES matter, usually more than we realise, because it's all so socially ingrained.
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Perhaps 'gender-diverse'? I agree that 'other' needs to revised, I just wasn't sure what to replace it with...
I've always tried to block out any perceived differences I've seen in the treatment of 'Ms' and 'Miss', but you're right - Miss does carry those connotations. I sort of like 'Miss' because it could be seen as being an unusual, eccentric position, but I usually choose Ms on forms.
I'm glad you continue to talk to people about it despite the opposition - even the most skeptical may one day realise that they saw something in what you were talking about, so keep it up!
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
You raise some valid points here. Although I tend to overlook these things myself (just because I`m a bit dense at times and fill in as little paperwork as necessary) I see where you are coming from.
I must admit I find some of the new terms that are popping up a little frustrating. At the end of the day you are who you are, by giving yourself another title won`t change the fact that you are a Dustbin man just because now called a Sanitation Engineer.
Perhaps I should learn to be a little more observant to the way in which words are used and the feelings of those whom they are used against.
I hope you are well chickie pie.
Ash
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I miust say I like 'sanitation engineer' better than 'dustbin person' - it's more genteel and this influences what you make of the specific duties involved. 'Dustbin person' represents some contempt for the occupation in this context, methinks, and that is never healthy.
I'm glad I was able to raise some awareness of this issue for you... my point was that none of these terms have to be facts - they are carefully (or not so carefully) chosen by people whose jobs it is to discriminate against one term or another and to pick the most appropriate one. A lot thought goes into any official document, and sometimes the theory behind it is ignorant and out-dated.
Epiphanie xo
Comment by Anonymous
Many Asian cultures put their last name first and their first name last. Or they have their family name first followed by their 'given' names. Personally I like to start with my last name. It is possible to suggest that to have the 'first name' first and 'last name' last on a form is Eurocentric.
... tricky
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I prefer to put my first name first as your family name is usually linked to tradition and the past. Not in my case, but anyhow. Your first name is more personal; it's what your friends call you.
Thank you for joining the discussion, I welcome all perspectives...
Comment by Mal
Mal
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
Lol, well no one is forcing you to contribute... but I think you wanted to make it funny, so thanks for the comment!
Comment by Janet Collins
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
If my memory serves me correctly (don't you love that expression?) "surname" became "family name" because that's what many foreigners or immigrants were used to calling it.
Janet