Respect in Identification

 

 Socialization and Gender roles. Which, I feel many people, younger and older thought would be a good idea to teach in schools, but may not go over as well as anticipated. When the teachings directly contradict what most believe, practice, go by, and appreciate. When certain topics and current societal approaches to them are described as 'stupidity' or 'ridiculous' by literature teachers. They/them being considered something that can't possibly describe an individual, when pronouns and their uses were made up to begin with, so why not bend their outdated categorizations? And since they/them is being accepted more and more as a singular pronoun. As a matter of fact I distinctly recall a certain BrainPOP, a video on a site often played in schools for younger ages, specifically stating that they/them is considered plural as well as singular, and in it's singular application it's used based on knowledge of gender and a person's personal consideration. And to think, that in being a literature teacher one would never have once read a book or story that used they/them as pronouns for one person. 

Perhaps books and stories like that don't exist? 

They should. 

And I'm certain that they do.

 Either due to the fact one doesn't yet know the pronouns of the character, or perhaps the character just goes by the pronouns of their own choice. Some variation in pronouns could make a story more interesting. In the current world today, changing as it is, it could be educational, and foster familiarity with the concept. And what is it to talk about a person you claim to know, using their incorrect pronouns to describe them? As, when a person decides they'd like to be called or considered something different from their original address, change their name or other, the one addressing them can be considered disrespectful in calling them otherwise. If you've expressed a dislike or discomfort in being called a certain thing, you'd expect, or at least hope that others would respect that. And in cases where one is used as an example to a group of high schoolers, I'd imagine it could be disrespectful to incorrectly address a person, on any topic, essentially behind their back. Imagine if those around a person, that person being male, used female pronouns to describe them. That person may say that it's blatantly incorrect. Blatantly incorrect in calling that person by pronouns they don't consider them self to identify with. A male rejecting she/her pronouns, as they don't consider them their own.

 Returning to the concept of someone changing their identification, in this case they have or intend to change the sex. As least that's what seems to have been described in class today;  it could be that said person hasn't changed their pronouns, and considers them the same as before. In which case, by all means, continue as you were. But, if they have made such a change, for something as simple, yet impactful as pronouns, why not respect it?