Person-first language:
- Use language that recognises individuals first rather than
- defining them by their socio-economic status (e.g., “people
- experiencing poverty” rather than “the poor”).
Avoiding stereotypes:
- Be mindful of stereotypes associated with different social classes and avoid language that reinforces them.
Context matters:
- Consider the context in which you’re discussing social class. Some terms may be appropriate in academic or policy discussions but not in casual conversation.
Be inclusive:
- Use language that acknowledges the diversity within social
- classes. For instance, “working-class families” acknowledges that there are many types of families within this group.
Avoid pejorative terms:
- Steer clear of terms that carry negative connotations or have historically been used to stigmatise.