A headteacher that appeared on Good Morning Britain is taking a unique approach in an attempt to educate the school children about rejecting 'sexist' language.
Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, who is the headteacher at a Birmingham school, told presenters that she wants her school to stop using phrases like 'man up' and 'grow a pair,' because of the negative impact this has on children throughout their later lives.
The Anderton Park Primary head explained to ITV that no age was too young to start educating children on the effects of what is considered 'sexist' language.
Sarah, who talked to the presenters from her school office, triggered a mixed response from viewers after revealing that terms such as 'good morning boys and girls' were also frowned upon.
The headteacher explained to Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd that it was a 'tiny part of a huge jigsaw'.
She said: "In the last year we have seen the biggest ever increase in child abuse and grooming. If our boys, and girls, grow up and in school, we don't challenge this kind of sexist language, where boys are told to 'man up', 'grow a pair', 'boys don't cry', it is very damaging for them.
"Abusers later on, or bullies, will also use this fear. Fear is the biggest weapon that abusers have. If boys are told that boys aren't afraid, boys don't get scared, boys don't talk about their feelings, then where are they going to go when they are afraid?"
Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson went on to say that she simply preferred to use the term 'Good morning everyone' because it was more inclusive.
Despite facing a stern grilling from Susanna and Ben, as well as fellow guest Nana Akua, the headteacher maintained that words aren't necessarily 'banned' but she just expects those in an education setting to challenge sexist terms.
"If they go unchallenged, then schools become part of the drip-feed of labels that we put on boys or girls."
Akua, who disagreed with Sarah's approach, responded: "She's conflating two things that aren't the same. Saying 'boys don't cry' is not the same as trying to extract 'boys and girls' as a phrase from the language of children because you're worried that you might make them sexist... Adults really shouldn't project their own insecurities and beliefs onto the children at this age, just let them be kids and leave them alone.
Naturally, the debate caused quite the stir on social media, with many suggesting that the headteacher was talking 'absolute rubbish'.
"Teaching toddlers about sexism whatever next! Absolutely ridiculous!" wrote one Twitter profile.
However, some viewers did agree with the headteacher and suggested that it is the duty of schools to educate kids on stereotypes.
"The headteacher isnt indoctrinating the children all shes saying is take away labels and treat kids as equals you wouldn't call a group of women guys or a group of men gals so why not just use equal language its not sinister it makes sense," penned one viewer.
"On balance I think the approach of the headteacher from Birmingham is correct. If we remove any sense of negative difference at an early age then there would be no need to 'unteach' them in later life. Sexism, racism, homophobia etc isn't natural, they are learned behaviours!" wrote another.
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