Is this the end of the ‘master bedroom’? How home builders are scrapping ’racist’ and ‘sexist’ term on floorplans
Daily Mail: An increasing number of home builders fare no longer using the term ‘master bedroom’ in floor plans.
A survey of the major Washington, DC home builders found that six out of ten are choosing to replace the common descriptor with ‘owner’s suite’, ‘owner’s bedroom’, or even ‘master bedroom’.
According to the Washington Business Journal, ‘master’ reminds some people of ‘slave-master’ – and implies a male presence – companies are moving toward more neutral terminology.
‘I imagine it’s not only a more accurate description but also a more politically correct term of art,’ said Steve Nardella, senior vice president of operations for Winchester Homes, Inc.
In the 90s, the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued proposed guidelines for enforcing supposed violations of the federal Fair Housing Act.
The proposed guidelines suggested that the use of terms such as master bedroom, views, family room, walking distance and walk-in closet, among others, in advertising was evidence of discriminatory intent against various groups that might result in HUD taking action.
The final guidelines are much simpler: Describing the current or potential residents of a home ‘in racial or ethnic terms’ creates liability, but ‘complaints over use of phrases such as master bedroom should not be filed’ because they are considered neutral.
Ever since, overly-conscientious realtors have been extremely skittish about the content of their advertising and communications.
Owner Randy Creaser of D.C.’s Creaser/O’Brien Architects PC, said he ditched ‘master’ in the early 1990s for home design, and vaguely recalled lawsuits against builders for using the phrase.
Many of the builders who continue to use the term say that they are attempting to filter it out. Lorraine Aurora, president Long & Foster Real Estate Inc claims that older brokers use ‘master,’ because they are used to it, while the younger agents ‘want to be more politically correct.’
Her office is split between the two terms. Some comment boards reacted with amusement to the story, and even though it may be a joke. ‘Is this from The Onion?’ one man asked, while another wrote ‘people are getting too bored; losing touch with reality.’
But some realtors are re-packaging the word to appeal to an upscale audience: Brian Block of RE/Max Allegiance says that, in his company, ‘owner’s bedroom’ is the moniker of choice.
‘The terminology has more of an upscale tone to it, particularly in some of the really large homes that truly have a large bedroom, sitting area, enormous walk-in closets, and lavish bathrooms,’ he commented. ‘Owner Suite conveys a sense of being distinguished, having ”made it” or “arrived” rather than the everyday “Master Bedroom.”‘
Good grief, is there nothing that is not considered “racist” or “sexist” today? Nothing but PC madness.
DCG