Dear Editor: Simon Caldwell’s report (Nov. 18) of British Catholic schools’ reaction to government demands to replace, “mother” and “father” on school admission forms with, “parent 1” and “parent 2 “ is obviously short-sighted and biased. In our culture, “Parent 1” suggests some form of hierarchal supremacy over “Parent 2.” It would be much the same for “Parent A” and “Parent B.”

In order to forestall future litigation, I would suggest “ Parent 1.5” and “Parent 1.5” or “Parent/2” and “Parent/2.”

Or, if a surrogate parent is involved, how about “Parent/3” and “Parent /3” and “Parent 3”? Or…

DONALD PRANZO

Port Jefferson, L.I.