Some of y'all are getting really upset at the idea of Schools and Teachers not narking on kids who change their pronouns or identify as trans.
I think you're wrong to be upset.
I think at this time it's for a child's safety that their choice of pronouns or expressed gender identity not be relayed to the parents. Why? Because if the child [i]wanted [/i] their parents to know then they would tell them. The child might not feel comfortable telling their parent just because it's awkward but it could also be a much more substantial fear of repercussions, punishment or even harm.
You have only to see how some people in this debate advocate hate and even execution to understand why it is worrying to out a trans child to certain kinds of parent.
Stop the hate. Keep kids safe.
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@Bumbles "They" has always been used to refer to single people too, usually when you don't know the person. "Whoever left this here, I hope they come back for it."
@BohemianBoo Okay, we can quibble about mostly, but often in speech I don’t know if a single person or more than one person is being referenced. I’m also not familiar of another example when grammar had changed for political purposes and where language becomes intentionally vague rather than more precise.
@Bumbles Just off the top of my head, "Pagan" use to mean "country-dweller," now it refers to religious movements. Lots of racial slurs started out innocently, but became slurs after years of being used as insults. So yeah, society and politics have always had an affect on language. And as for language becoming more vague, where do we even begin? Slang changes language in confusing ways all the time. "Bad" can mean good." "Broken" can mean "unstoppable." "Literally" can mean "metaphorically."
@BohemianBoo He and she are not racial slurs, and I specifically referenced grammar (pronouns) not nouns. As for literally meaning figuratively, it should be a crime.
@Bumbles I didn't say they were slurs, I said language actually does change based on society and politics all the time.
[quote]As for literally meaning figuratively, it should be a crime. [/quote]
Some of the greatest English-language writers used it that way. "Literally" has been used for centuries to mean figuratively. TBH, I never use it that way, but some people do. And I can't really say they're wrong. 🤷♂️
@BohemianBoo Grammar that intentionally becomes vague for political purposes is a 21st century leftist phenomenon, like literally. Misgendering is punishable. Also new and political.
