How to Ask the Gender Questions in Surveys: Best Practices & Examples

Have you ever stared at a survey asking for your gender, only to find the options don’t represent who you are? It’s frustrating, right? We’ve all felt the strain of trying to fit into predetermined boxes that don’t quite capture our identity.

The numbers are eye-opening - recent research shows that 42% of U.S. adults believe forms should include gender options beyond just “man” and “woman.” Even more striking, 64% of U.S. surveys now include three or more gender categories, up from just 16% in 2012.

Your brand’s online image can determine your business growth. The way you ask about gender in surveys directly impacts your data quality, completion rates, and how respondents perceive your organization’s values.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about creating effective, respectful gender questions for your surveys. We’ll explore:

• Why gender questions matter in different survey contexts

• 20+ expert-approved examples you can use immediately

• Step-by-step best practices for implementation

• Common mistakes that drive respondents away

In a hurry? Jump directly to our 20+ Gender Survey Question Examples or grab our ready-to-use template

• 20+ Gender Survey Questions-Examples

Looking for an example gender survey template? I’ve got that figured out, too.

Now to the basics.

What are Gender Survey Questions?

One of the survey question types, a gender survey question, is used to gather the gender of a respondent. Although these questions are commonly employed in a demographic survey, they are also widely used in several other types of research, such as business, social science, etc.

Gender survey questions basically help the evaluators understand if and how the respondents’ gender affects the choices and assist in identifying patterns, if any. While “male” and “female” remained the only plausible choices among survey makers, it’s no longer the case today.

Case in point, with changing norms around gender identity, people no longer shy away from answering gender questions if they feel they’re relevant to the demographic survey.

Here's something if you are looking for a template you can use for collecting gender data of your customers.

You can customize the survey template to your needs and use them. Or, if you want to create surveys from scratch, try using the AI feature of SurveySparrow. Both the templates and the AI feature are available with the free version of SurveySparrow. So, feel free to try them out!

Why You Need More Than Two Gender Options in Your Survey

In a 2015 study, scholars Laurel Westbrook and Aliya Saperstein, in their “ New Categories Are Not Enough: Rethinking the Measurement of Sex and Gender in Social Surveys,” elaborate on the driving need to reflect on the diversity of gendered lives and better align survey measurement practice with contemporary gender theory.

In a more recent study by Pew Research Centre, four in ten (42%) U.S. adults demand that when they’re presented with a form that asks about their gender, it should include options other than “man” and “woman.”

These data only indicate the rising consciousness of gender inclusivity and the demand for improving data accuracy by means of accurate data representation. If you don’t move along this hyper-gendered world, your survey results will remain erased of essential dimensions and will perpetuate inequality.

Why Should You Ask Gender in a Survey?

Asking about gender in a survey can be important for several reasons:

1. Data Accuracy and Representation: Understanding gender demographics helps accurately represent and understand the survey population. It ensures that the data reflects the diversity of the group being surveyed.
2. Informed Decision-Making: Gender-specific data can inform policies, programs, and services that address specific needs or disparities among different gender groups.
3. Research and Analysis: For research purposes, gender data can be crucial in studying trends, behaviors, or issues that may vary by gender.
4. Inclusivity and Awareness: Including gender questions significantly beyond the binary options promotes inclusivity and raises awareness about gender diversity.

How Do You Ask About Gender in a Survey?

When designing a survey, it’s essential to approach the topic of gender thoughtfully and inclusively. Here are some best practices to ensure your survey respects and acknowledges diverse gender identities.  

1. Offer Inclusive Options  

Instead of limiting responses to just "male" and "female," provide a range of options that reflect various gender identities.  

Example Options:  

• Male  
• Female  
• Non-binary  
• Transgender  
• Genderqueer  
• Intersex  
• Prefer to self-describe: __________  
• Prefer not to say  

2. Use Clear Language  

The words you choose matter significantly. Use straightforward, non-clinical language that all respondents can understand:

Ask “What is your gender identity?” instead of “What gender were you assigned at birth?”

Avoid unnecessarily technical terms that may confuse participants or create barriers to accurate responses.

Pro tip: Have members of diverse gender communities review your questions before launching your survey to catch potential issues early.

3. Include a ‘Prefer Not to Say’ Option  

Always offer an option for respondents who may not feel comfortable disclosing their gender identity. This shows respect for their privacy.  

Example Wording:  "If you prefer not to disclose your gender identity, you may select 'Prefer not to say.'"  

4. Consider the Purpose  

Only include questions about gender if they are pertinent to the goals of your survey. Unnecessary questions can feel intrusive and may deter participation.  

Tip: Before including a gender question, ask yourself how the information will be used and why it is important.

5. Implement Skip and Branch Logic  

Use skip logic to allow respondents to bypass questions that are not relevant based on their previous answers. Branch logic can direct participants to specific follow-up questions based on their chosen gender identity.  

Example Implementation:  

If a respondent selects "Non-binary," you could follow up with tailored questions about their experiences or preferences.  

6. Be Mindful of Privacy and Sensitivity  

Recognize that questions about gender can be personal. Ensure that you communicate how data will be used and maintain confidentiality throughout the survey process.  

Best Practice: Clearly state your privacy policy. Assure respondents that their answers will remain anonymous.

Asking about gender in a survey requires careful consideration and respect for diversity. 

20+ Gender Survey Questions to Ask in a Survey

As American University accurately puts it, “Often the questions are asked because we feel like they should be asked, or because we consider them ‘standard’ demographic questions, not because the data are necessary for cross-tabulation.”

But if you’re confident that gender is an important data point for your survey and want to explore the many ways in which you can add gender questions to your survey, here are some pointers to get started.

1. Simple Gender Question with Multiple Option

What is your gender?

• Male

• Female

• Non-binary

• Prefer to self-describe: __________

• Prefer not to say

2. Two-Step Gender Identity Question (More Comprehensive)

What sex were you assigned at birth?

• Male

• Female

• Intersex

• Prefer not to say

What is your current gender identity?

• Male

• Female

• Non-binary

• Transgender male

• Transgender female

• Genderqueer

• Prefer to self-describe: __________

• Prefer not to say

3. Pronoun Preference Question What pronouns do you prefer?

• She/Her

• He/Him

• They/Them

• Other: __________

• Prefer not to say

Gender Experience Questions

4. Comfort with Gender Expression How comfortable do you feel expressing your gender identity in public spaces?

• Very comfortable

• Somewhat comfortable

• Neutral

• Somewhat uncomfortable

• Very uncomfortable

5. Workplace/School Inclusivity Is your workplace/school gender inclusive?

• Yes

• No

• Unsure  

6. Gender Discrimination Experience Have you faced gender discrimination or bullying in your school or workplace?

• Yes

• No

• Prefer not to say

7. Perceived Societal Attitudes How do you perceive societal attitudes toward non-binary individuals?

• Mostly positive

• Somewhat positive

• Neutral

• Somewhat negative

• Mostly negative

• Unsure

Gender Identity Development

8. Gender Identity Confidence On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you in expressing your gender identity?

[1 = Not at all confident, 10 = Extremely confident]

9. Workplace Comfort On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you discussing your gender identity at your workplace?

[1 = Not at all comfortable, 10 = Extremely comfortable]

10. Gender Education Have you ever received education about gender identity and awareness?

• Yes, comprehensive education

• Yes, but limited

• No

• Unsure  

11. Identity Challenges Have you experienced challenges in embracing your gender identity?

• Yes, significant challenges

• Yes, some challenges

• No

• Prefer not to say

Gender Perspectives Questions

12. Opinion Evolution Have your perspectives on gender evolved over the past five years?

• Yes, significantly changed

• Yes, somewhat changed

• No, remained consistent

• Unsure  

13. Identity Awareness Age At approximately what age did you become consciously aware of your gender identity?

• Before age 5

• Ages 5-10

• Ages 11-15

• Ages 16-20

• After age 21

• I don't recall  

14. Support Resource Awareness Are you aware of support organizations for diverse gender identities in your community?

• Yes, and I've utilized their services

• Yes, but I haven't used their services

• No

• Unsure  

15. Inclusive Facilities Are there gender-neutral facilities (e.g., restrooms) available in your:

Workplace:

□ Yes □ No □ Unsure □ Not applicable

Educational institution:

□ Yes □ No □ Unsure □ Not applicable

Community spaces:

□ Yes □ No □ Unsure □ Not applicable

16. Social Support How supportive are people around you regarding diverse gender identities?

• Very supportive

• Somewhat supportive

• Neutral

• Somewhat unsupportive

• Very unsupportive

Open-Ended Gender Questions

17. Inclusion Improvements What steps do you believe society should take to be more inclusive of diverse gender identities?

18. Personal Experience If you're comfortable sharing, please describe any significant experiences related to your gender identity that have shaped your perspective.

19. Identity Challenges What do you consider the biggest challenge facing individuals as they explore their gender identity?

20. Additional Information Is there anything else about your gender identity or experience that you would like to share that wasn't covered in previous questions?

Conduct Gender Surveys with AI

8 Tips for Asking Mindful Gender Survey Questions

The following 8 helpful tips from our customer success team on asking the right gender survey questions. Have a look at them.

1. Use Inclusive Language  

Go beyond the traditional male/female binary. Consider including options such as non-binary, transgender, genderqueer, and an open-ended option for self-identification.  

Also, try to use clear and accessible language. This ensures that all respondents understand their options before choosing them.  

2. Respect Privacy  

Make sure you offer a 'Prefer Not to Say' option. This allows respondents to choose not to disclose their gender identity without feeling pressured.  

3. Clarify the Purpose of the Question  

Make sure that the gender question is directly relevant to the survey's objectives. Explain how this information will contribute to understanding or improving issues related to gender.  

Also, consider including a brief statement about why you are collecting gender data.  

4. Ensure Confidentiality  

Clearly state that all responses will be kept confidential and used solely for research or analysis purposes. To reassure the respondents mention any data protection measures in place.  

5. Avoid Assumptions  

Frame questions in a way that does not assume gender roles or identities. For example, instead of asking, “What is your gender?” consider “How do you identify in terms of gender?”  

6. Provide Clear Instructions  

If using open-ended or multiple-choice formats, provide clear instructions on how to respond. For example, specify if respondents can select multiple options.  

Examples: Offer examples of acceptable responses if appropriate.  

7. Implement Sensitivity Training  

Ensure that those analyzing the data are trained to understand gender diversity and the implications of gender-related data.  

8. Include Non-Binary Gender Options  

Specifically acknowledge non-binary identities by providing a non-binary option. This recognizes and respects individuals who do not identify exclusively as male or female, ensuring their representation and inclusion in survey data.

Approaching Gender Survey Questions: Best Practices

Whatever gender options you have considered and then decided on using in your survey, you still need to ask these questions correctly to gain the most value from their use. Here are some pointers to consider in the process-

I understand why you’re asking about gender in the first place

Grasping the motive for asking the gender question is a crucial part of the process. Keep your target audience and data-analysis goal in mind while framing the questions.

Throughout the process, you’ll want to weigh in on your information needs and how your respondents will perceive the question. Enough said, you can safely skip these questions unless it is not needed for your data analysis.

If you decide to ask the question, remember to tread carefully

In all earnestness, gender is often a sensitive and misunderstood subject. That’s why it’s important to reflect and introspect on questions such as

• Why are you collecting this information?
• What is the business rationale behind asking about gender in this form?
• How will the information collected be utilized?
• Do you have any legal restrictions on collecting and storing this data?

You also want to be careful not to have it mangled loosely with often wrongly interchanged terms such as “sex” or “sexual orientation.” Doing this will enrage your respondents and force them to opt out of the survey instantly.

5 Mistakes to Avoid While Asking Gender Survey Questions

1. Offering Too Many Options

Creating an exhaustive list of 15+ gender options can overwhelm respondents and lead to survey abandonment.

Solution: Stick to 5-7 core options plus a self-description field.

2. Binary Options Only

Being a stickler for just “male” and “female” options affects data quality. When only binary options are provided:

• 7-12% of respondents may abandon the survey
• Data accuracy decreases by up to 15% in diverse populations
• Respondent trust in your organization decreases

Solution: Always include at least “non-binary” and a self-description option.

3. Confusing Sex with Gender

One of the most common mistakes is using these terms interchangeably. Sex typically refers to biological characteristics, while gender relates to social and personal identity.

Solution: Be precise in your question wording. If you need biological sex information for medical purposes, ask for it specifically and explain why.

4. Making Gender Questions Mandatory

Asking respondents to disclose gender information when they’re uncomfortable doing so violates survey ethics and reduces response quality.

Solution: Always include a “prefer not to say” option and make gender questions optional unless absolutely essential for your research.

5. Poor Question Placement

Putting sensitive demographic questions like gender at the beginning of your survey can increase abandonment rates.

Solution: Place gender questions toward the end of your survey, after building rapport with less sensitive questions.

How Can Surveysparrow Help Create a Perfect Gender Survey Questionnaire

To effectively use the SurveySparrow gender survey questionnaire:

1. Customize questions to suit your specific survey goals, ensuring they are inclusive and respectful of all gender identities.
2. To gather comprehensive data, utilize various question types offered by SurveySparrow, like multiple-choice or open-ended formats.
3. Use SurveySparrow’s user-friendly design to create an engaging survey experience, potentially increasing response rates.
4. Implement privacy features to ensure respondent confidentiality, which is especially for sensitive topics like gender identity.
5. Analyze the data using SurveySparrow’s analytics tools to gain insights and inform decision-making processes.

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Wrapping up

Asking about gender in your survey isn’t always necessary. But sometimes, most times, when included, it contributes to the richness of data.

Now that more and more people are comfortable with their gender identity and sexual orientation, there has never been a better time to collect them. In fact, when researchers at the Census Bureau conducted an experiment asking respondents how they felt responding to the question on gender, nearly everyone(90%, to be exact) said they were comfortable answering them.

With a survey tool such as SurveySparrow, approaching gender survey questions is made easier than ever. With pre-made templates for every use case, versatile question types, and a conversational interface, you get to send out thoughtful surveys that resonate with your audience.

Good luck!