Pronouns

[mme_n_b]

One of my kid's classmates identifies as a tree. The tree's pronouns change occasionally, one can usually guess them from the outfit, but if one guesses wrong one will be gently corrected. (ELUCIDATION): This is in public. IRL. In school. With neither shaming nor bullying. I don't think this would have been possible when I was a kid and probably still isn't possible in most places, but I see it as a sign that society is changing. (/END ELUCIDATION) This is is wonderful, but also deeply odd to me. I worry that I'm going to become even more socially awkward as society develops and leaves me behind. On the whole, though, I am entirely happy with this development.

Comments

[lm644]

As long as they are healthy…

[mme_n_b]

They are a very healthy, happy, and socially well-adjusted tree, beloved and respected by both teachers and classmates. That (rather than the fact that they are a tree) is the more amazing part :)

[lm644]

I think that’s great, really. Most kids try on different identities before they discover who they are but in the past, this process was considered abnormal, to be hidden, to be ashamed of, - or to be treated as a disease. The result was predictable: miserable adults who could neither be happy themselves nor let anybody around them be happy.

[mme_n_b]

It is great. A kinder, gentler, happier world.

[lm644]

Let’s hope…