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France to replace the words 'mother' and 'father' with 'parent 1' and 'parent 2'

France could soon ban the words ‘mother’ and ‘father’ on school documents [Photo: Getty]
France could soon ban the words ‘mother’ and ‘father’ on school documents [Photo: Getty]

Schools in France are to replace the words ‘mother’ and ‘father’ with ‘Parent 1’ and ‘Parent 2’ on official documents.

The move is part of an amendment to a new draft education bill, which supporters say seeks to put an end to discrimination against same-sex parents.

But critics argue it “dehumanises” parenthood and could lead to rows over who should be referred to as “parent 1”.

“This amendment aims to root in law children’s family diversity in administrative forms submitted in school,” said Valérie Petit, MP for the majority REM party of President Emmanuel Macron.

Ms Petit explained that the words mother and father, on all school documents such as authorising children to go on trips, no longer took into account the recently-passed gay marriage law, nor the existence of same sex parents.

The amendment says: “To prevent discrimination, school enrollment, class registers, parental authorisations and all other official forms involving children must mention only Parent 1 and Parent 2.”

Though the amendment was passed by MPs on Tuesday, it could still be rejected by France’s Senate, but will then go back to National Assembly for a final reading.

But Twitter has mixed views on the change.

Many described the move as political correctness gone mad.

But others couldn’t see why people were so worked up about the proposed alteration.

Globally there have been many introductions to various policies in a bid to help tackle discrimination.

Last May a same-sex couple made history in New Zealand by both being named on their baby’s birth certificate as ‘mother’, after their daughter was conceived of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

While in the UK it was revealed that primary schools are likely to be legally obliged to teach about same-sex couples as part of new compulsory sex and relationship education.

However, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) believe the new measures don’t go far enough and want children to be taught about the subject matter at an earlier age.

They are now proposing that nursery children be taught about same-sex couples and transgender issues.

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