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Getting in Trouble Over Genders
I could teach this. Normally, my “zoom” sessions are on US Senate history or the “art and science” of lobbying, but I am very comfortable with discussing gender pronouns.
There are two. He, she. Or, his, her. When two or more of different genders are present, “they” works really well. That’s five pronouns. Did I miss any?
Your gender is assigned really early, “in utero.” In fact, it is assigned upon fertilization. You have no say in the matter (blame your father if you’re unhappy with the lottery, but it is a little more complicated than that. And yes, there are birth “defects” that complicate matters for a very small population). Everyone deserves respect for their situations.
Yes, those with gender dysphoria have serious psychological issues with their gender assigned at birth. Fine, I respect you. Your option is the other gender, with a lot of expensive surgery, but not entirely. “Science” hasn’t figured out a way to change DNA, even after transgender surgery. You can look it up. Pay careful attention to the consequences. And leave young children alone. They almost always work out any confusion before their teenage years. And don’t make me pay for your issues.
Here’s the thing. You can influence, but you don’t get to create your own reality. Your first exposure to it is when you’re born, and the doctor declares, “male” or “female.” With ultrasound technology since the 1980s among other technologies, we can learn our children’s gender very early in utero.
Hopefully, you’re born with no unexpected issues, with all your unique and God-given qualities (and rights).
By the way, you’re not God. Period. So stop trying to be one.
Where do I collect my honorarium?
“Pedantic” is an adjective.
You mean, “Gender, to pedants. . . “
“Pedant” is the noun.
I’m one, too.
That’s funny, I thought that Skyler meant that, just as we have to admit “irregardless” is a word because so many people use it, we’ll have to admit that “gender” means a person’s sex identity.
(Not that I’ll ever admit such things, of course.)
I’m so embarrassed. You’re right, of course.
Yes, that was my meaning. We can choose to not like something, but that doesn’t change that language consists of words and grammar used to convey meanings and the arbiters of which words are correct or not correct does not solely rest with academia, thank goodness. Everyone gets a vote.