Italy Bans Gender-Neutral Symbols in Schools: What It Means for Education
- Loren Assunção
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 26
Italy’s Education Ministry recently announced a ban on gender-neutral symbols—such as the asterisk (*) and schwa (ə)—in schools, arguing that these symbols disrupt traditional linguistic norms.
According to officials, maintaining grammatical clarity in institutional communication is essential, reinforcing the structured nature of the Italian language.
This decision is part of an ongoing cultural debate in Italy, where language plays a significant role in shaping social norms. Advocates for gender-inclusive language argue that traditional Italian grammar reinforces male dominance, as masculine plurals are commonly used to refer to mixed-gender groups. To address this, some educators and activists have promoted gender-neutral alternatives, such as the schwa, which offers a more inclusive way to refer to people of all genders.
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However, the Accademia della Crusca, Italy’s linguistic authority, has previously advised against adopting these symbols in official documents, stating that they are difficult to integrate into formal writing and speech. The government’s latest move aligns with this stance and underscores a broader pushback against changes to traditional language structures.
For educators, this raises important questions: Should language evolve to reflect a more inclusive society, or should linguistic traditions remain unchanged? How can schools foster inclusivity while respecting grammatical norms?
Join the Conversation
Education is a powerful tool for shaping the future, and language is at the heart of how we communicate and understand the world. What do you think about this decision? Should schools embrace gender-inclusive language, or is maintaining traditional grammar more important? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the role of language in education!
Source: Reuters
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