A year ago, I made a significant and challenging decision: I told my family that my husband of 15 years and I were separating.
Fast forward to now, I find myself navigating life as a divorced woman, having sold our house and stepped into a new chapter. This journey has been one of emotional upheaval, but it has also involved a surprising amount of paperwork. Over the past 12 months, I’ve filled out countless forms, and one peculiar detail has stood out more than any other. The insistence on choosing a title.
Every time I encounter a form, I’m met with a mandatory field that requires me to define my identity as either Miss, Mrs, or Ms. This requirement strikes me as profoundly limiting and outdated. Why must my identity be linked to my marital status? Why can’t I simply be Kathryn?
It’s a curious reflection of how society often insists on defining women through their relationships with men. The title I chose feels like a label that reduces my identity to my pasta relic of a bygone era that fails to capture the complexities of who I am today. While I could jokingly select a title like Lady or Baroness, it underscores a more serious issue: why should I even be required to provide a title at all? For the vast majority of forms I fill out, my title serves no meaningful purpose and only complicates an otherwise straightforward process.
In an age where we strive for inclusivity and understanding, it seems counterintuitive that many forms still adhere to this archaic norm. If forms can include options like “prefer not to say,” then why can’t there be a “no title” drop-down or make the title field optional altogether? Such a change would reflect a more modern understanding of identityone that celebrates individuality rather than conformity to outdated conventions.
This is not just a personal grievance; it’s an issue that resonates with many. In a world increasingly focused on diversity and inclusion, the requirement to specify a title can feel like a relic of the past. When we fill out forms, we often do so to engage with institutions or services, and our identity should not be defined by a title that feels irrelevant to the purpose of the form.
As I continue my journey, I find myself reflecting on how our identities are multifaceted and how they should not be reduced to a title. The insistence on marital labels can be particularly alienating for those who are single, divorced, or widowed. For individuals navigating complex life changes, such as separation or loss, being forced to choose a title can serve as a painful reminder of a past that may no longer align with their current identity.
If you are part of a business or organisation that collects data online, consider the implications of asking for a title. Do you truly need this information? If so, why? It’s time for businesses to re-evaluate their data collection practices and move towards a more inclusive approach. By removing unnecessary requirements and allowing individuals to define themselves on their own terms, we can foster a sense of empowerment and respect.
As I navigate this new chapter of my life, I invite you to join me in advocating for change. Let’s challenge the norms that dictate how we identify ourselves and work towards a future where individuals are recognised for who they are, not merely by the titles they are assigned based on their past.
Follow my journey on LinkedIn and support this cause by signing the petition. Together, we can advocate for a society that embraces individuality and acknowledges the richness of our diverse identities. Let’s redefine how we perceive ourselves and each other, moving away from outdated labels and embracing the complexity of who we truly are.
face2facehr.com