Census 2021

33 replies

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 18/08/2020 22:08

Reading another thread just now, it occurred to me that next year is census year. I had a look at the 2011 questionnaire, which asks for each respondent's sex, giving the options of male and female only. However, the census 2021 website says this (see pic). What on earth does this mean? Does anyone know whether the 2021 questionnaire includes questions about sex only, gender only or both? How likely would someone be to be fined for refusing to answer a question on gender? I will (hopefully!!!) have a newborn on census day, and the idea of allocating them a gender is hideous (as the social construct of gender is hideous)

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highame · 18/08/2020 22:30

I think it will definitely ask for sex but I think 'search as you type' probably means they have something smart about gender identity. I don't think they will throw a whole load of gender descriptors at the population, they risk a car crash and that would look very bad.

DeaconBoo · 18/08/2020 22:30

If they clearly define how to identify yourself, I will happily do so. I am worried I will accidentally give false information (if it's not optional) by not knowing what certain terms mean.

Original poster

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 18/08/2020 22:29

@DeaconBoo I know, it's really weird how it's just been chucked in there randomly, almost as though they had to include it? I guess the "it's an offence to supply false information" could be a get-out clause if they try to fine people for leaving the question blank...

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grafittiartist · 18/08/2020 22:28

Didn't know it was an offence with a fine?!
I'm still not going to "identify" on it!

DeaconBoo · 18/08/2020 22:23

"We also want everyone to be able to identify as they wish" - I've checked (it's here: census.gov.uk/about-the-census/about-census-2021/ ) and this sentence isn't under a specific section about gender or anything as I wondered.

With no context it seems a really bizarre thing to put in when describing a survey that is specifically about collecting hard data - "identify as they wish" almost seems like an invitation to make stuff up about yourself? Or is that just me? Yet on the same website they say clearly that

"It is an offence to supply false information or to not complete the census, and you could be fined up to £1,000. Some questions are clearly labelled as voluntary. It is not an offence if you do not answer these."

ThousandsAreSailing · 18/08/2020 22:20

If that is on it I will fill it with total bollocks because it will be meaningless anyway

grafittiartist · 18/08/2020 22:18

It's a worry isn't it.
I think that if they do ask for "identify" and give lots of options, then a lot of people who didn't know about this debate might be surprised.
Don't know what I will answer.

Original poster

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 18/08/2020 22:10

Gaaah, wrong button!

My issue is that I would rather not answer any question about gender, so as to not lend legitimacy to the idea of gender identities, so merely answer other/ prefer not to say wouldn't cut it. Thoughts please!

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