The UK Might Become First Nation in World Whose Census Questions Won’t Include Sex

According to the Dictionary, a census is “an official enumeration of the population, with details as to age, sex, occupation, etc.”  In America, the U.S. Census Bureau performs a census every decade.  In fact, our Founding Fathers believed this was such important information to gather that they mandated it as part of the Constitution.

However, census counting in the United Kingdom might now radically change if the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has anything to do with it.  They “tentatively” recommended not having an accurate count of how many men and women live in the country.  Why?  The question of gender is too “intrusive.”   

Yes, really.

This would make them the first — and only — nation in the world not to require its citizens to answer this question: are you a male or female?

The Telegraph has the details:

The proposed change for the 2021 census could leave Britain without an accurate figure for the number of men and women living in the country.

Research carried out by the ONS found the “sex” question included on the 2011 census, which requires respondents to choose whether they are male or female, “was considered to be irrelevant, unacceptable and intrusive, particularly to trans participants, due to asking about sex rather than gender”.

The report explored other options, including a “hybrid” question with the addition of an “other” category.

But asking about “sex” was again thought to be “irrelevant and intrusive”, while the “other” option was “thought to homogenise trans people and differentiate them from the rest of society,” the report said.

A third “two-step” option, with separate sex and gender identity questions, was also ruled out.

This, of course, is ludicrous.  Why go to the expense and effort of conducting a census at all?

ONS said, “We would tentatively recommend that an unchanged 2011 census question should not be mandatory, for the benefit of, particularly, intersex and non-binary people who cannot choose male or female as a reflection of their current sex or gender.”

Identity politics is catering to the few at the expense of the many… and the ramifications of the insanity are yet to be seen.  Gordon De Jong, professor of sociology and demography and senior scientist in Penn State’s Population Research Institute, explains why this data is important:

“The census is most definitely important. Our whole representative democracy is based on it.The census ensures that each community gets the right number of representatives in government.” Because representation is based on population, an up-to-date tally is essential.

The census also helps with the equitable distribution of public funds, De Jong says, as federal and state funding for things like educational programs, healthcare, law enforcement and highways is allocated in part based on population. “Equitably distributing the billions of dollars of public money requires up-to-date population data.”

And the UK is risking all of that to protect the feelings of the very few confused transgendered people.  Good luck with that.

Hat Tip: UK Telegraph

Image Credit: Flickr