WHEREAS millions of adults in the United States were born to unmarried parents; and

WHEREAS about 32 percent of children born in recent years were born to unmarried parents; and

WHEREAS research by the American Association for Single People has revealed that some 17 states have statutes which label children born to unmarried parents as "bastards" or "illegitimate" children; and

WHEREAS this research also showed that appellate judges in some 37 states have referred to such children as "illegitimate" in recent judicial decisions; and

WHEREAS the use of terms such as "bastard" or "illegitimate" as labels for children born to unmarried parents is demeaning and stigmatizing; and

WHEREAS judges should use objective and neutral terms, both verbally and in writing, when referring to individuals or classes of people; and

WHEREAS there are objective and neutral terms which may be used when referring to children born out of wedlock, such as "non-marital children" or "non-marital child" or "child born to unmarried parents."

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Judges Association recommends that all judges, including appellate judges, discontinue referring to children born to unmarried parents as "illegitimate children" and instead use neutral and objective language such as "non-marital children."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of each of the 50 states and to the Chair of the Council of Chief Judges of Courts of Appeals with a request that it be shared with appellate judges in each state.

Submitted to the American Judges Association,

Resolutions Committee,

by: ___________________________________