Glucose guardian, a new, gender-neutral term for a sugar daddy or sugar mama has taken the internet by storm. A glucose guardian is an older man or woman who spends extravagantly on his sugar baby or sugar infant. Very often it is a wealthy businessman who does not have time for conventional dating or simply wants a young, attractive partner to show off at parties and other social gatherings.

The average sugar daddy, according to Seeking Arrangement, is 45 years old and makes £176,000. The concept of sugar babies is so popular that there is a Sugar Baby Summit hosted in London and then in New York in 2017 and 2018.

While the idea f a gender-neutral term is very important, we can’t think of anyone who would actually like to be called a ‘glucose guardian”, even a sugar guardian sounds much better! Either way, memes have taken over this narrative and some people have even gone beyond glucose guardian.

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The age of gender-neutral terms

Continuous references to binary male and female classifications can be alienating for those who don't exactly fit into either category. These continuous reminders of gender may have an influence even on those who do identify as male or female. Men and women may appear to be more different than they are if we constantly divide everyone into male and female categories.

The goal of gender-neutral terms is to avoid using words that are prejudiced, discriminatory, or humiliating by implying that one sex or social gender is the norm. The usage of terms like 'chairman' has now started to change, so instead of saying chairman, one would say 'chairperson'. Similarly even the phrase 'delivery boy' has now been replaced by 'delivery person'. While these terms make a lot of sense and can definitely be used in day-to-day life, some terms are just a little unnecessary.

The use of terms like ‘Sprong’ instead of son/daughter could actually be a great way to introduce one's non-binary offspring. However, the world child already exists so an additional word might just be kind of pointless. Similarly, words such as 'Caln' for King/Queen, when the word Monarch can be used instead, don't make much sense. 'Sib' a non-binary word for brother/sister seems redundant too. We already have the word sibling!

On the other hand, a gender-neutral term for a non-binary uncle/aunt, 'Zizi', is quite cool. ‘Goddex’ for God/Goddess might be a little controversial, but we're all for it! A great dilemma of any non-binary person while filling out any official documents is whether they should put down Ms. or Mr., the perfect solution for this is the term 'Mx.'

Regardless of whether we think a non-binary term makes sense or not, the important thing is that it exists. It's important we take steps forward to be more inclusive, even if they are tiny baby steps. Every time you use a non-binary term for a person, you're making an effort to be more accepting and aware.